A lawyer facing charges of purchasing child prostitution was last week removed from two positions at the Bar Association while the case is pending, a spokesman said yesterday.

“Mao Tan Eam was fired from his office at the inspection department and from the legal aid defence department,” said Yim Sary. “But we are not suspending his accreditation, and he remains a lawyer.”  

On January 27, Tan Eam, 43, was arrested by anti-human traifficking and juvenile protection police from a Siem Reap town guesthouse where he was found with a 16-year-old boy.

He was released on bail a day later due to illness and charged in February. A hearing date has not yet been set but prosecutor Ty Sovinthal said both parties have been summonsed for questioning.

Explaining that the scandal could reflect poorly on the Bar, Sary said the lawyer would be permitted to resume his positions if he is found to be not guilty.