Friday, 1 August 2008

US Censures Release of Russian Pedophile

By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
31 July 2008

The US Embassy expressed strong disapproval Wednesday of the release of a Russian pedophile by Sihanoukville Court after a short sentence.

"Harsh sentencing is the most effective way to send a message to pedophiles that these crimes will not be tolerated," he said. "In this case the court has done a great disservice to Cambodia and its people by sending a confused message to those who would abuse the children of this country."

The US took Cambodia off a human trafficking "watch list" in an annual report earlier this year, for its efforts combating the crime.

"This case threatens to undo the hard work of the Royal Government of Cambodia in its efforts to crackdown on abuse and trafficking in persons in the country," Mussomeli said.

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