CAMBODIA TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ARRESTS JANUARY 1 TO

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000145 SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR G/TIP, EAP/MLS, EAP/RSP, AND DRL USAID FOR ASIA BUREAU E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL KWMN KTIP SOCI CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS ARRESTS JANUARY 1 TO FEBRUARY 20, 2008 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED ¶1. (SBU) Summary: From January to February 23, 2009, Cambodian police reported that they arrested two individuals on human trafficking charges and two on prostitution charges in connection with one case in which a rescued prostitute was under age 18. Police reported that four foreign pedophiles were arrested and 10 victims were rescued. Police reported that all the perpetrators are currently in pre-trial detention. End Summary. Police Activity -------------- ¶2. (SBU) On January 12, Sihanoukville provincial police worked with APLE to secure the arrest of 68-year-old Canadian national Daniel Lavigne for sexually abusing two victims aged 10 and 12 years old. Police reported that Lavigne was providing financial support to the victims' mother and had helped the mother renovate her house. Police reported that the Canadian national is currently in pre-trial detention and was charged with Article 42 "Sexual Intercourse with a Minor under Fifteen Years." The victims were sent to World Hope International for victim assistance. ¶3. (SBU) On January 19, Banteay Meanchey provincial police arrested 47-year-old Chou Sophat, male, and 37-year-old Vong Saroeun, female, for operating a brothel where one underage victim was found. Police reported that the perpetrators are currently in pre-trial detention and the victim was sent to AFESIP for victim assistance. ¶4. (SBU) On January 26, Koh Kong provincial police arrested 44-year-old Neang Run, male, and 47-year-old Long Lux, male, for the attempted labor trafficking of 10 victims aged between 15 and 17 years to Thailand. Police arrested the perpetrators and rescued the victims before they were trafficked across the border. Police reported that the perpetrators are currently in pre-trial detention and that the victims returned to their families. ¶5. (SBU) On February 2, Siem Reap provincial police worked with APLE to secure the arrest of 75-year-old American national Jack Louis Sporich for sexually abusing four victims aged between nine and 13 years old. Police reported that Sporich had been providing financial support to the families of the victims. The perpetrator was charged with Article 43 "Indecent Acts against a Minor under Fifteen Years." Police reported that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention and that two of the victims were sent to Friends International for victim assistance. Two other victims reportedly returned to their families. ¶6. (SBU) On February 19, police from the Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Department worked with APLE to secure the arrest of 49-year-old American national Ronald Boysian and rescued one nine-year-old female victim. Police reported that Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor charged the perpetrator with Article 34 "Purchase of Child Prostitution" and that the perpetrator is currently in pre-trial detention. Police reported that the victim was sent to World Hope International for victim assistance. ¶7. (SBU) On February 20, Siem Reap provincial police arrested 37-year-old Canadian national Jason Gant and rescued three victims aged between 13 and 15 years old. Police reported that a Siem Reap Provincial Court prosecutor charged the perpetrator with Article 43 "Indecent Acts against a Minor under Fifteen Years" and that the perpetrator is currently in detention awaiting trial. Police reported that two of the victims were sent to Friends International for victim assistance and another victim returned to his family. RODLEY