Trofimov's arrest (Photo: AP)Russian investor accused of underage sex
By Kang Chan Amrak and Tracey Shelton
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 21, October 19 - November 1, 2007
A Russian businessman who has plans to develop an island off the coast of Sihanoukville was arrested at his home and charged with debauchery following a three month investigation into a complaint by the parents of a 14-year-old Cambodian girl.
Alexander Trofimov was apprehended at 10 am October 17 in his Sihanoukville home on a warrant from October 16 following complaints from the girl's family who claimed she had been sold to Trofimov by a middleman.
Trofimov, 41, arrived for questioning at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday morning. The court prosecutor said he had been charged with debauchery, the legal term in Cambodia for sex crimes with a minor.
"With the evidence that we gathered from our investigation we believe that it will be enough to convict him and bring him to justice," said Bith Kim Hong, chief of anti-trafficking department of the Ministry of Interior, who investigated the case.
Hong said the family of the girl filed a complaint to the courts because their daughter was sold to Trofimov in 2005 by 34-year-old Phal Vannara. Vannara was arrested on September 3. He is in jail.
The girl had been tricked by Vannara, Hong said. She escaped from Trofimov's home and went to police.
No further details were available.
Investigation into this and six other cases by the anti-trafficking department and International Justice Missions (IJM) began in July, Hong said.
He said his department is currently filing a new complaint with a Sihanoukville court regarding an offense, which he said took place a few weeks ago. The new case involves a 13-year-old Sihanoukville girl.
The five other alleged victims are also from Sihanoukville. Complaints have not yet been filed in those cases.
IJM's field office director Patrick Stayton had no comment on whether or not further charges would be made, saying those decisions will be made by the courts.
Trofimov, who has had no previous charges for sex offences, was escorted from the court room and taken to Prey Sar Prison. He had no comment.
He is chairman of the Koh Puos Investment Group (KPIG).
Trofimov in September 2006 announced plans to invest $300 million into the development of Sihanoukville's Koh Puos or Snake Island, following the signing of the lease agreement last year. The plans included the construction of a luxury hotel and restaurant, bungalows, parks and a bridge connecting the island to Hawaii beach.
Alexander Trofimov was apprehended at 10 am October 17 in his Sihanoukville home on a warrant from October 16 following complaints from the girl's family who claimed she had been sold to Trofimov by a middleman.
Trofimov, 41, arrived for questioning at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday morning. The court prosecutor said he had been charged with debauchery, the legal term in Cambodia for sex crimes with a minor.
"With the evidence that we gathered from our investigation we believe that it will be enough to convict him and bring him to justice," said Bith Kim Hong, chief of anti-trafficking department of the Ministry of Interior, who investigated the case.
Hong said the family of the girl filed a complaint to the courts because their daughter was sold to Trofimov in 2005 by 34-year-old Phal Vannara. Vannara was arrested on September 3. He is in jail.
The girl had been tricked by Vannara, Hong said. She escaped from Trofimov's home and went to police.
No further details were available.
Investigation into this and six other cases by the anti-trafficking department and International Justice Missions (IJM) began in July, Hong said.
He said his department is currently filing a new complaint with a Sihanoukville court regarding an offense, which he said took place a few weeks ago. The new case involves a 13-year-old Sihanoukville girl.
The five other alleged victims are also from Sihanoukville. Complaints have not yet been filed in those cases.
IJM's field office director Patrick Stayton had no comment on whether or not further charges would be made, saying those decisions will be made by the courts.
Trofimov, who has had no previous charges for sex offences, was escorted from the court room and taken to Prey Sar Prison. He had no comment.
He is chairman of the Koh Puos Investment Group (KPIG).
Trofimov in September 2006 announced plans to invest $300 million into the development of Sihanoukville's Koh Puos or Snake Island, following the signing of the lease agreement last year. The plans included the construction of a luxury hotel and restaurant, bungalows, parks and a bridge connecting the island to Hawaii beach.
5 comments:
That is wrong and very wrong,but if we keep this guy out of that trouble cambodia will benefit more, in Thailand they would let that guy free,lose little but big benefits.
just another white devil child molester. they're everywhere in cambodia. people bow to them whereever they go. khmer don't care about white monkeys molesting their poor, underpriviledged children.
don't tell me about democracy and human rights if you can't even protect the human rights of the child beggars in cambodia. these white monkeys are supposed to our country's saviors....why else would poeple bow to them whereever they go.
We don't need this kind of investors anyways. Obviously he has no moral values to be a worthy investor. Cancel the deal, there are plenty investors who will do better.
They are not better than the viets army who has just received 100 000 hectares to plant rubber's tree from our supposed government. What an ashame! Cambodians don't how to plant rubber's trees ?
Well, if you don't want the viet to lease our land, why don't you do it?
We need job, job, job, and first come first serve. You got the picture?
Post a Comment