Bangladeshi Man Gets 7 Years for Human Trafficking

A Bangladeshi man accused of attempting to traffic seven of his countrymen to Malaysia via Cambodia last year was on Tuesday found guilty of human trafficking by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Raman Mizanur, 39, was arrested at the Malaysian Embassy in Phnom Penh last July while applying for travel visas for seven people, officials have said.

The seven are said to have paid roughly 10.2 million riel, or about $2,500, each in the hopes of making the journey.

During his trial last month, the defendant denied the charge of unlawful removal for cross-border transfer and told the court that his earlier confession, including admitting to already having helped 80 others reach Malaysia, was made under duress.

“When I spoke with the police, the police slapped me three times and I just said whatever,” he said during his trial.

After being sentenced on Tuesday by Presiding Judge Heng Sokna to seven years in prison, Mr. Raman told reporters he would appeal the verdict.

“There are no victims, there is no evidence, there are no witnesses,” he said as he was led away from the courtroom.

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