August 4, 2004 - Child sex allegations against Frenchman in Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, Aug 4 (AFP) -
A French bar manager working in the Cambodian capital has been arrested and accused of having sex with nine children aged as young as 12, police said Wednesday.
Michel Blanchard, 39, who has lived in the kingdom since 2001, was arrested at home Tuesday after police were tipped off by child protection activists, Phnom Penh deputy chief of the anti-human trafficking department Keo Thea told AFP. "He is accused of committing debauchery against under age boys and if the court finds him guilty, he could face between 10 and 20 years' imprisonment," he said.
Hang Vibol, director of Action Pour les Enfants (Action for Children) who has previously worked with police to catch paedophiles, said the group had been trailing Blanchard for two months.
Blanchard is expected to appear in court on Thursday when a judge will decide whether to bail or detain him pending an investigation.
At least 21 foreigners have been jailed in impoverished Cambodia or deported to face trial since 2003 as the kingdom attempts to stamp out its reputation as a paedophile haven.