Russian Businessman Charged With Debauchery

Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged a 41-year-old Russian businessman with debauchery Thurs­day for the alleged abuse of five girls between the ages of 13 and 14, officials said.

Alexander Trofimov, executive di­rector of Koh Puos (Cambodia) Investment Group Ltd, was arrested in Sihanoukville on Thursday morning by anti-trafficking police following an investigation by police and anti-pedophile NGO Interna­tional Justice Mission, Phnom Penh Deputy Prosecutor Sok Kal­yan said.

“The investigating judge decided to detain [Trofimov] temporarily at [Prey Sar] correctional center one,” he said, adding that the municipal court is handling the case be­cause the victims are from the capital.

Sok Kalyan declined to comment as to what evidence the court had against Trofimov.

Trofimov’s company secured a 99-year lease to develop property on Koh Pos island off the coast of Sihanoukville in September 2006 in order to construct a $300-million holiday resort.

Iv Kimsry, the investigating judge for the case, could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Bith Kimhong, director of the Interior Ministry’s anti-human trafficking department, said that Tro­fimov was arrested at his home after the Phnom Penh court issued a warrant on Tuesday. Police are still searching for another foreign national, he added.

Trofimov allegedly sexually abused the victims from as far back as 2005 and as recently as this year’s Pchum Ben holiday, Bith Kimhong said.

An official for IJM, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that his organization had been investigating Trofimov for over a year.

“IJM has collaborated with the Cambodian national police for some time in our efforts to arrest this Russian national for sex crimes against multiple child victims,” he said.

 

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