An Algerian Danish man has been charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old girl by the Siem Reap provincial court.

Tanikhabir Mehtar, 44, was arrested by Siem Reap Police on Tuesday last week and charged on Thursday after a teenage girl filed a complaint against him.

“[The girl said] he embraced the 13-year-old and touched her breast and va­­gina,” said Major Duong Thav­­ry, chief of the Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Office of the Siem Reap Police.

If the girl’s complaint proves to be true, the artist and gallery own­­­­er would face one to three years in prison and a fine of up to six million riel (US$1,250).

The suspect will face trial in about six months, said Ma­­jor Duong Thavry.

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]