A 26-year-old man accused of posting nude photographs of his ex-girlfriend to Facebook—and blackmailing her in an attempt to convince her to have sex with him—was acquitted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday.
Chheang Eng Ly was arrested and charged in July after his former girlfriend filed a complaint in October 2014 alleging that Mr. Eng Ly had demanded that she have sex with him, threatening to upload compromising photos of her to Facebook and to distribute copies on her wedding day if she did not comply.
During the trial on December 9—facing charges of disseminating pornography and threats accompanied by extortion —the defendant denied possessing nude photos of his ex-girlfriend and attempting to blackmail her.
Announcing the verdict on Monday, Presiding Judge Svay Tonh said Mr. Eng Ly had been found not guilty of both charges.
Judge Tonh did not explain the decision in court, and could not be reached for comment. Touch Sarith, a lawyer for the alleged victim, said the verdict was unjust and that he would discuss filing an appeal with his client.
“It is up to my client to decide whether to appeal or not,” he said.
