The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday heard the case of three women charged in December with procuring child prostitution after they were arrested for allegedly brokering sex between clients and three girls aged between 14 and 16.
Presiding Judge Suos Sam Ath said after the hearing that he ordered Chan Srey Leak, 25; Soeun Srey Pov, 24; and Kim Lay Seak, 18; to disclose their role in the alleged racket.
“The court has charged them with procurement so they must tell the court what they did and they must not lie,” he said.
The women were arrested at a property in Meanchey district rented by Ms. Srey Leak, who admitted to the court that she housed up to six prostitutes there, but said they would have sex at a client’s guesthouse or hotel.
“I took a commission of $5 to $20 from each sex worker, but I did not force them to have sex, they did it because they wanted to,” she said.
Chea Nara, the victims’ defense lawyer, said the youngest girl’s family has demanded $3,000 compensation.
