March 22, 2010

Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Saturday charged 53 years old dual citizenship holder Australian/New Zealander, Michael John Lines, with purchase of child prostitution.

 

Mr. Lines was arrested in Preah Sihanouk Province on March 17, 2010 and promptly returned to Phnom Pehn where he’s now being detained at Prey Sar Prison awaiting his trial.

 

Michael John Lines was arrested on suspicion of abusing two underage girls, now aged 17 and 20, where abuse occurred back in 2007. However, Mr. Lines’ defense lawyer Dun Vibol said that the charge against his client was unjust, as his client has engaged with her and lived together for 5 years.

 

Mr. Vibol added that the charge against his client was totally not right as his client and the now 20-year-old girl, whom he claimed to be a baby sitter for the 4-year-old daughter Mr. Lines had adopted, have lived together for five years.