Alexander Trofimov (L) is escorted by Prey Sar prison's police after his hearing at Phnom Penh municipal court March 11, 20008. The court charged Trofimov, a Russian businessman who is overseeing a $300 million tourism investment project with sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl. Trofimov denied the charge and said he had never met the girl, who testified that she had been paid $100 after being abused four times. (REUTERS/Stringer)March 13, 2008
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - A Cambodian court sentenced a prominent Russian investor to 13 years in jail on Friday for the sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl, the latest foreigner to be caught in the country's drive to stop child sex tourism.
The lawyer for 41-year-old Alexander Trofimov, who signed a $300 million deal in 2006 to develop a luxury tourist resort, said the ruling would damage Cambodia's investment reputation.
"My client is a high-profile man. He should not be sentenced by just one girl who pointed a finger at him," lawyer Ouch Sophal told Reuters.
"The court decision will send a bad message to foreign investors," he said, adding his client would appeal.
Chief Judge Ke Sakhan said the court had sufficient evidence to convict Trofimov, who did not speak to reporters in court.
A Cambodian man was also sentenced to 11 years in jail for providing the girl to the Russian businessman.
Poverty-stricken Cambodia has long had a reputation as a haven for pedophiles, due in large part to its corrupt police force and courts. Child rights groups are campaigning hard for Phnom Penh to take the problem seriously.
(Reporting by Ek Madra; Editing by Darren Schuettler and Alex Richardson)
The lawyer for 41-year-old Alexander Trofimov, who signed a $300 million deal in 2006 to develop a luxury tourist resort, said the ruling would damage Cambodia's investment reputation.
"My client is a high-profile man. He should not be sentenced by just one girl who pointed a finger at him," lawyer Ouch Sophal told Reuters.
"The court decision will send a bad message to foreign investors," he said, adding his client would appeal.
Chief Judge Ke Sakhan said the court had sufficient evidence to convict Trofimov, who did not speak to reporters in court.
A Cambodian man was also sentenced to 11 years in jail for providing the girl to the Russian businessman.
Poverty-stricken Cambodia has long had a reputation as a haven for pedophiles, due in large part to its corrupt police force and courts. Child rights groups are campaigning hard for Phnom Penh to take the problem seriously.
(Reporting by Ek Madra; Editing by Darren Schuettler and Alex Richardson)
7 comments:
HAIL A VICTORY OVER PEDOPHILES and SEX CRIMES IN CAMBODIA
Of course, when you come to Cambodia and say: i have 300 million to invest, a lot of local crocodiles will come and search to have a bit from you. So don't lie. If you have that money, ok, be ready to kickback some officials in government. If you don't have that money and just playing around thinking that government officials are easy to fool, it is dangerous game. Anyway, should have that guy pay some millions in order to be protected by high ranking officials, he should have never met that kind of problem. He may has been too greedy or cooky. It is not that you have the feeling that Cambodia is a quiet and gentle country with the locals always smiling that you have to feel superior.... In Cambodia, you can do what ever you want, but be careful when it is matter of money...
If on the 300 millions, he can provide 100-150 millions to HS or affiliate, no problem, he can go out of the jail, otherwise, he has to buy a lot of oil for his years in jail... he he....
Yay! that is what I called swift justice.
Crime is crime -- nothing more or less. When crime (s) is perpetrated, irrespective of the ethnecity, by an individual, he/she will be prosecuted to the fullest in accordance to the law of the land. If crime (s) is in your mind, you need to think twice before visiting the country, because we'll make sure that you're not take advantage of the innocent people and country.
Well put, mate!
So, when can we push our MPs to reinstate the old capital punishment again. Somehow, I got a feeling 10-15 years jail ain't gonna do much to deterred these pedophiles. Vietnam and Laos used capital punishment for that and it seems to work great for them. There haven't been much case of child molestation over there.
7:00 PM
Come on, mate -- you already know my philosophical policy: "...one-bullet-two-kill policy," that is..." Therefore, we need to nap just one more perpetrator, and then we can fundamentally implement my policy. I don't think this policy of mine is astringently draconian.
Sex crimes will not be tolerated in the Kingdom of Cambodia. If you're falling into this mindset (sex crimes) category, you need to stay out of Cambodia.
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