A group of four Cambodian and Chinese nationals were tried yesterday at Phnom Penh Municipal Court for allegedly trafficking two women to China as brides earlier this year.

Chinese men Zu Zhisheng, 39, and Xu Jing Long, 34, are accused of collaborating with Cambodian women Lam Na, 45, and Sok Bora, to recruit young women to go to China as brides in return for $1,500 being paid to their families, said presiding judge Keo Mony.

Na, a coffee seller, and Bora, a garment worker, recruited two other workers, aged 20 and 24.

The four accused have been charged with “selling, buying or exchanging a person for cross-border transfer” and using fake documents.

Zhisheng and Na were arrested with the victims at Phnom Penh airport in February, according to police, with Jing Long and Bora picked up at Sorya Mall soon after.

The four have proclaimed their innocence. They said they found the women jobs in China, and were not trafficking them. The trial will continue on September 15.