The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: A German man has been arrested for alleged sexual abuse of a 13-year-old Cambodian girl, police said Monday.
Walter Munz, a 62-year-old tourist from Stuttgart, was nabbed during a raid of his guesthouse room in Phnom Penh on Sunday, said Keo Thea, deputy chief of anti-human-trafficking police.
Police found Munz with an underaged girl in the room and arrested him on charge of debauchery — a broad Cambodian legal term for a sex offense involving minors that is punishable by 10 to 20 years in jail.
Tipped off by activists, Munz had been under police surveillance for many days before the arrest, Keo Thea said.
"He met the girl some days ago and convinced her mother that he would help the girl study English and the family with daily expenses," the police officer said.
The girl told police that Munz forced her to have sex with him several times but she was afraid to tell her mother about the abuse, Keo Thea said.
It remained unclear when Munz would be sent to court to face formal charges. Under Cambodian law, a suspect can be detained by police for up to 72 hours before appearing in court.
Last month, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced two German men to a total of 40 years in prison for sexually abusing ethnic Vietnamese girls aged 10 to 14 years.
Child rights advocates say Cambodia's lax law enforcement has made it a destination for foreign pedophiles. However, police have recently stepped up action against offenders.
Walter Munz, a 62-year-old tourist from Stuttgart, was nabbed during a raid of his guesthouse room in Phnom Penh on Sunday, said Keo Thea, deputy chief of anti-human-trafficking police.
Police found Munz with an underaged girl in the room and arrested him on charge of debauchery — a broad Cambodian legal term for a sex offense involving minors that is punishable by 10 to 20 years in jail.
Tipped off by activists, Munz had been under police surveillance for many days before the arrest, Keo Thea said.
"He met the girl some days ago and convinced her mother that he would help the girl study English and the family with daily expenses," the police officer said.
The girl told police that Munz forced her to have sex with him several times but she was afraid to tell her mother about the abuse, Keo Thea said.
It remained unclear when Munz would be sent to court to face formal charges. Under Cambodian law, a suspect can be detained by police for up to 72 hours before appearing in court.
Last month, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced two German men to a total of 40 years in prison for sexually abusing ethnic Vietnamese girls aged 10 to 14 years.
Child rights advocates say Cambodia's lax law enforcement has made it a destination for foreign pedophiles. However, police have recently stepped up action against offenders.
2 comments:
This man from an advance country does not help Cambodians how to live.
LAO Mong Hay, Hong Kong
Yes, and I want to thank all the
officers for doing an outstanding
job to protect our citizens.
And yes, we have not forgot about
your wellbeing either. Just be
be patient. We are working hard
on it for you.
May God continues to help you doing
your work well.
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