CRIME

The second trial of convicted Russian sex offender Alexander Trofimov began Tuesday at the Sihanoukville Municipal Court, but judgement has been delayed until the completion of another case against the former chairman of Koh Puos Investment Group who stands accused of sexually abusing 18 Cambodian girls, said Chan Chamroeun, a monitor with the Cambodian rights group Adhoc. Saing Vannak, Trofimov's lawyer, said, "Based on the evidence and witnesses, my client is innocent". If found guilty, Trofimov, who is serving seven years in prison for his first conviction, could face another 15 years behind bars if found guilty. His case is the largest-ever paedophila investigation in Cambodia.