The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday sentenced a recruiter for an alleged maid-trafficking ring to seven years in prison over her role in sending eight Cambodian women to Malaysia with the promise of well-paid domestic work.
“The court decided to sentence Tren Sokchanny to seven years in prison on the charge of illegal recruitment for exploitation,” Presiding Judge Ly Lipmeng said, ordering her to pay the three plaintiffs between $496 and $992 each in compensation.
The women contacted Ms. Sokchanny, 27, early last year and said she facilitated their journey to Malaysia without giving them the correct visas.
Malaysian police sent six of them back to Cambodia, while the whereabouts of the other two women are unknown.
Ms. Sokchanny denied the charges during her hearing earlier this month, saying she had recruited the women on the orders of her boss.
Sea Vannreth, Ms. Sokchanny’s lawyer, said she would appeal the sentence.
