Synopsis: Phnom Penh restaurant owner and workers face legal action for allegedly facilitating sexual transactions between clients and minors.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Military Police yesterday sent four women and a man to court for investigation and legal action over allegations of child prostitution.
The owner and workers of a restaurant and karaoke in Sen Sok district were arrested following a May 1 raid on the outlet, said Municipal Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Military Police Office Deputy Chief Major Nuon Kimhong.
He said that during the operation, 39 women and 16 men were apprehended. Authorities also seized condoms found on the premises.
Questioning revealed that prostitution involving minors was taking place at the restaurant, he said. It was found that most of the 23 hostesses at the outlet were underage and that the restaurant was charging between $50 and $100 for sex with them.
“Under the orders of the prosecutor, the military police yesterday sent the (hostesses) to the municipal rehabilitation centre in Phnom Penh, where they will be taught life skills before they are reintegrated into their communities,” Maj Kimhong said.
The clients caught in the raid were sent for re-education before being released, he said.
The five suspects face charges of “provision of premises for prostitution and soliciting for child prostitution,” which carry a prison sentence of between five and 10 years each. if convicted.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court Deputy Prosecutor Plong Sophal could not be reached yesterday for comment.
