Additional charges have been filed against a 53-year-old Swiss national who has been imprisoned in Siem Reap since Jan 26 for alleged acts of debauchery against two teen-age boys, court officials confirmed Sunday.
New charges of rape and operating a dwelling of debauchery effectively have prevented Rudolph Knuchel from being released on bail, officials also said.
The new charges were filed last Thursday by Siem Reap Court Investigating Judge Tan Senarong, a day before an Appeals Court bail hearing, newly appointed Appeals Court Director Ly Vouch Leng said Sunday.
Even though the Appeals Court subsequently decided in favor of granting bail to Knuchel in connection with the initial charge, the court was prevented in carrying out the decision because of the fresh charges.
“He was released on one [charge] and then detained by another,” said Ly Vouch Leng.
Knuchel, owner of a restaurant and business center in Siem Reap town, has maintained his innocence and says allegations have been fabricated by boys who he accused of stealing his bicycle.
Tan Senarong said Monday that three Siem Reap males, ages 18 to 21, claim they have had sexual relations with Knuchel since the mid-1990s.
Based on complaints from the three, the Swiss expatriate was charged with rape and charged under article 7 of Cambodia’s law on human trafficking which pertains to people who open dwellings where debauchery takes place, said Tan Senarong.
Knuchel’s lawyer who has been fighting to have his client released during the court investigation must now lodge a new bail application based on the new charges, said Tan Senarong.
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