Yesterday, a 51-year-old Australian national was arrested by the Anti-Human Trafficking police on suspicion of sexually abusing at least three boys aged between five and 11 years and of producing child pornography.
The suspect was arrested in the morning while leaving his apartment in Phnom Penh accompanied by two young boys. The two children were brought to the police station to be interviewed and were later referred to a shelter. They received support from APLE’s social workers during the whole process.
The suspect has been living in Cambodia for more than five years, where he currently works as an English teacher, and, according to APLE, he is likely to have victimized many more children in the past years. Our agents are working hard with police to identify them.
The suspect has been investigated for almost five years. A long time was taken in the collection of enough evidence due to the complicity of some families with the offences – since they were being financially supported by the suspect – and to the strong bond created by the suspect with the children.
APLE’s Country Director, Seila Samleang, stated:
“While we applaud the authorities’ work in arresting the suspect, we must also express our disappointment with the long time taken for this arrest to effectively happen. It is frustrating that he had to make more victims before he could be stopped by police.”
Police is still searching the suspect’s apartment for child pornography.
For further information on this case, please contact: Contact: Mr. Khoem Vando Organization: Action Pour Les Enfants [APLE Cambodia] Email: k.vando@aplecambodia.org Phone: +855 92 590 503
