Police escort Russian businessman Alexander Trofimov (L) into the Phnom Penh municipal court. Trofimov, who is accused of sexually abusing at least 19 Cambodian girls, went on trial Tuesday in the country's largest-ever paedophilia prosecution(AFP/Tang Chhin Sothy) PHNOM PENH (AFP) — A Russian businessman accused of sexually abusing at least 19 Cambodian girls went on trial Tuesday in the country's largest-ever paedophilia prosecution.
Alexander Trofimov was arrested last October after six girls and their parents filed complaints with the police accusing the 41-year-old of abusing them.
Since then, 13 more girls have filed complaints against Trofimov, a high-profile figure in the seaside town of Sihanoukville, where the alleged crimes are believed to have occurred. The girls are aged between 11 and 18.
Trofimov has been charged with debauchery, a criminal charge covering a wide range of sex offenses that carries a 20-year penalty.
One alleged victim, a 14-year-old girl, told Phnom Penh municipal court on Tuesday that Trofimov forced her to have unprotected sex with him four times.
"I was in pain and crying when he had sex with me," she said.
Trofimov has denied the accusation, saying he does not know her.
But prosecutor Sok Kalyan told the court that an investigation into the girl's claims had turned up large amounts of evidence against Trofimov.
The court expects to rule Friday on the 14-year-old's claims. More trials stemming from the other cases were expected, court officials said.
Trofimov is chairman of the Koh Pos Investment Company, which in 2006 received permission to build a 300-million-dollar resort on Koh Pos, or Snake Island, an area Cambodia is trying to develop as a luxury tourist destination.
Sihanoukville has gained a reputation as a haven for paedophiles drawn to the easy access to young beachside vendors.
Dozens of foreigners have been jailed for child sex crimes or deported to face trial in their home countries since Cambodia launched an anti-paedophilia push in 2003.
While lauding the government's efforts to fight child sex crimes, officials, including foreign diplomats, have urged authorities to also target Cambodian paedophiles, who are thought to make up more than half of all sex offenders.
Alexander Trofimov was arrested last October after six girls and their parents filed complaints with the police accusing the 41-year-old of abusing them.
Since then, 13 more girls have filed complaints against Trofimov, a high-profile figure in the seaside town of Sihanoukville, where the alleged crimes are believed to have occurred. The girls are aged between 11 and 18.
Trofimov has been charged with debauchery, a criminal charge covering a wide range of sex offenses that carries a 20-year penalty.
One alleged victim, a 14-year-old girl, told Phnom Penh municipal court on Tuesday that Trofimov forced her to have unprotected sex with him four times.
"I was in pain and crying when he had sex with me," she said.
Trofimov has denied the accusation, saying he does not know her.
But prosecutor Sok Kalyan told the court that an investigation into the girl's claims had turned up large amounts of evidence against Trofimov.
The court expects to rule Friday on the 14-year-old's claims. More trials stemming from the other cases were expected, court officials said.
Trofimov is chairman of the Koh Pos Investment Company, which in 2006 received permission to build a 300-million-dollar resort on Koh Pos, or Snake Island, an area Cambodia is trying to develop as a luxury tourist destination.
Sihanoukville has gained a reputation as a haven for paedophiles drawn to the easy access to young beachside vendors.
Dozens of foreigners have been jailed for child sex crimes or deported to face trial in their home countries since Cambodia launched an anti-paedophilia push in 2003.
While lauding the government's efforts to fight child sex crimes, officials, including foreign diplomats, have urged authorities to also target Cambodian paedophiles, who are thought to make up more than half of all sex offenders.
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