Pedo charges

A German tourist is facing up to 15 years in jail after being charged with child prostitution and indecent acts against a minor under 15 years of age yesterday following his arrest this week on allegations that he sexually abused two teenage boys.

Lieutenant Colonel Keo Thea, chief of Phnom Penh’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection force, identified the man as 69-year-old German national Hans Gandner.

Police caught up with Gandner on the way to the airport on Tuesday, arresting him before he could board a flight out of the country.

Thea said Gandner would be sent to Prey Sar prison today.

Hans is accused of luring two young Cambodian boys to sit with him by the riverside in Daun Penh district, and offering them money in exchange for sexual favors. The alleged acts took place over a period of three days, from April 12 to April 14, in the middle of Khmer New Year. Police said Gandner arrived in Cambodia on April 4 as a tourist.

Gandner and his lawyer could not be contacted for comments.