The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday sentenced a massage parlor owner to two-and-a-half years in prison for procuring prostitution, but reduced the sentence to 14 months.
Try Tech, 45, the owner of massage parlor “168” in Tuol Tumpoung II commune, was accused of facilitating transactions in which customers had sex with his employees and then taking most of the profit for himself.
As part of his sentence, Mr. Tech also is forbidden from opening a massage shop for five years.
Presiding Judge Chuon Sokreasey told Mr. Tech in court Monday that he could appeal the decision within 30 days.
Judge Sokreasey said the court based its decision on condoms found in Mr. Tech’s shop.
During his trial in June, Mr. Tech said he was not guilty and did not know that his employees were having sex with clients.
Defense lawyer Kim Socheat said the court’s evidence was weak.
“It is a serious sentence for my client, and the condoms did not belong to him,” he said.
