A French citizen arrested on suspicion of running a brothel out of his Phnom Penh bar was brought to court Wednesday but remained free of charges after extensive questioning, an investigating judge said.
Gerard Claude Dubois was arrested Monday after he was accused by police of human trafficking. His establishment in Daun Penh district, Chez Johnny Beer Bar and Restaurant, was closed by police.
Five women in Dubois’ employ told police Tuesday that they were forced to have sex with the bar’s customers, said Keo Thea, municipal deputy police chief for anti-trafficking.
In a search of the establishment, police also confiscated sexual paraphernalia and a pistol.
Keo Thea said that the confiscated evidence from Chez Johnny was sent to the court Wednesday and that Dubois faced accusations of operating a brothel and possessing an illegal weapon.
Despite two and one-half hours of questioning at the Municipal Court on Wednesday, investigating Judge Nget Sarath said Dubois had not been formally charged.
The Frenchman was returned to police custody and the questioning will continue today, Nget Sarath said.
His five female employees, aged 17 to 27, are being sheltered by the Cambodian Women’s Crisis Center, Keo Thea said.
Officials from the French Embassy were unavailable for comment.
