A woman was sentenced to five years in prison on Wednesday for attempting to send two Cambodian women to China to be married, her lawyer said, while four suspects stood trial in a separate case for trying to send brides to China.
Nay Thear, 24, and her husband Kuy Toma, 25, were arrested on September 1 at Phnom Penh International Airport while escorting two women to a flight bound for China.
Presiding Judge Y Thavrak convicted Ms. Theary of unlawful removal for cross-border transfer, according to her lawyer, Bun Kong. While the charge is punishable by seven to 15 years, the judge reduced Ms. Theary’s sentence because she has an infant, he said, adding that he would appeal the decision.
All charges were dropped against Mr. Toma, who testified that he was unaware of his wife’s intentions, Mr. Kong said.
In a separate case, two women and two men stood trial on trafficking charges on Wednesday for trying to send three brides to China. Srey Huor, 55; Im Heab, 60; Ky Chheang Ang, 52; and Chinese national Cao Wuhua, 42, were arrested on September 9, shortly before heading to the Phnom Penh airport with the women, Judge Kor Vandy told the court.
The verdict will be announced on July 7.
