Cambodia

Former Khmer Rogue leader claims he worked for Cambodia's people

Cambodia FlagPhnom Penh - A former leader of Cambodia's genocidal Khmer Rogue regime told a war crimes tribunal in Phnom Penh Thursday he could not understand why he was facing charges of crimes against humanity, saying he had "always acted in the best interests of the Cambodian people."

Khieu Samphan said in his closing statement to a heated pre-trial hearing of the UN-backed Khmer Rogue Tribunal he was innocent of all charges and there was insufficient evidence to support his detention.

German ambassador to Cambodia calls for new anti-trafficking laws

Germany Flag Phnom Penh - Germany's ambassador to Cambodia on Wednesday called on the Cambodian government to step up measures against human trafficking to combat exploitation of the country's poorest citizens.

Ambassador Frank Marcus Mann said at a press conference in Phnom Penh the German government supported Cambodian efforts to curb the growing number of people being trafficked in the country and urged the government to adopt new anti-abduction laws.

"Because Cambodia is a signatory to international conventions to fight abduction we want to see Cambodia's parliament take action and pass new anti-abduction laws," he said.

Thai political crisis 'disastrous' for Cambodian tourism

Thai political crisis 'disastrous' for Cambodian tourismPhnom Penh  - The seizure of Thailand's main international airport by protesters Wednesday left thousands of travelers stranded in Cambodia and will hurt the country's already beleaguered tourism sector, officials and tourism industry leaders said Thursday.

Director of Civil Aviation Chea Aun said up to seven Thai Airways, Bangkok Airways and AirAsia flights from Phnom Penh to Bangkok were cancelled Wednesday, leaving more than 1,000 business people and tourists stranded in the capital.

Russian businessman on trial for paedophilia in Cambodia

Phnom Penh - The trial of a Russian businessman charged with sexually abusing 18 underage girls began Tuesday after a series of delays in getting legal representation for the defendant, national media reported Tuesday.

Alexander Trofimov, 41, was arrested in 2007 on charges of abusing the girls while working in the coastal town of Sihanoukville, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

Trofimov, was convicted in March this year of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and is currently serving a 13-year sentence in a Phnom Penh prison.

If convicted of the remaining charges, Trofimov could face a further seven to 15 years in prison, the newspaper reported.

Cambodian activist awarded German prize

Cambodian activist awarded German prizeBerlin  - A Cambodian woman dedicated to fighting human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of children and women received a German prize on Monday for her work.

Somaly Mam was honoured with the Roland Berger Human Dignity Award at a ceremony at Berlin's Konzerthaus attended by German President Horst Koehler.

The award, worth 1 million euros (1.27 million dollars), was established this year to promote peaceful cooperation in the world.

Cambodian monk allegedly rapes British tourist

Cambodian monk allegedly rapes British touristPhnom Penh 

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