Phnom Penh - A Cambodian judge is
investigating whether to pursue pornography charges against 10
foreigners arrested after organising a party which featured
indecent dancing, a prosecutor said on Tuesday.
The 10 were arrested on January 25 along with 77 other
foreigners in a raid on the "Pub Crawl or Let's Get Wet" event
in Siem Reap province, home to the ancient Angkor Wat ruins.
Siem Reap Provincial Court Prosecutor Keut Vannareth told
Reuters the 10 had been charged provisionally on Monday with
producing pornography for their role in organising the party and
the case had been sent to the investigating judge on Tuesday.
The other 77 foreigners arrested were freed after being
educated about their unacceptable behaviour.
Those charged are five Britons, one Dutch citizen, two
Canadians, a New Zealander and a Norwegian, according to Sourng
Sophea, an attorney for the group. In his three-page submission
to the court, the lawyer said the partygoers had not been naked.
"When police arrived, they were wearing underwear and bras
as they drank," Sourng Sophea told Reuters, adding that they
could face between one month and one year in prison if
convicted.
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"The charge of producing pornography is a little too harsh,"
he said. "Now, they are in prison and this is too much."
He said the accused had not published any pictures of the
event and had committed no crime.
Prosecutor Keut Vannareth declined further comment.
Cambodia has been become a favorite with backpackers and
budget travelers over the past decade, but has more recently
begun to establish itself as more of a luxury destination.
Angkor Wat is Cambodia's top tourist attraction. The ancient
temple complex holds a special place in the country's history as
the former capital of the Khmer Empire and visitors are told to
behave with respect at the site.
Tourism Minister Thong Khon said he supported the arrests of
the tourists.
"The law bans this kind of thing and maybe they were warned
in advance," he said. "Siem Reap is a heritage site."