Nurse convicted in landmark Cambodian surrogacy case appeals

Australian surrogacy nurse Tammy Davis-Charles is escorted into the Appeal Court yesterday. Kim Sarom

Convicted Australian nurse and surrogacy agency founder Tammy Davis-Charles was in Appeal Court yesterday to request a reduction in her sentence, citing deteriorating health conditions.

Davis-Charles was sentenced to 18 months in prison in August in a landmark surrogacy trial. She was arrested for acting as an intermediary between pregnant women and adoptive parents one month after a ban on the surrogacy industry was imposed.

A draft law regulating commercial surrogacy is still in the works and expected next year.

“I would like to request the court to reduce the punishment for me so that I can leave prison soon and get treatment,” said Davis-Charles during the hearing, submitting a letter meant to confirm her diagnosis of cancer in the left eye.

Prosecutor Chea Met, however, said Davis-Charles already admitted to her crime, and therefore must be punished accordingly.

“The allegations of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court against the convict and her affiliates are correct. Therefore, I would like to uphold the verdict,” he said.

In November 2016, Davis-Charles was arrested by anti-trafficking police, along with Minister of Commerce official Pich Rithy and nurse Samrith Chakriya.

Davis-Charles assisted 23 Cambodian surrogates during their pregnancies, with 18 of them carrying children for Australians.

Rithy and Chakriya did not appeal their 18 month prison sentences, which will expire for the entire trio in five months.

Following the hearing, presiding Judge Kem Dany said a decision on Davis-Charles’ appeal would be made on January 8.

Contact author: Kim Sarom

MOST VIEWED

Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games
From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the
Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat
Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to
Newest horror film showcases unique Khmer culture, identity
At first glance, the trailer to new horror sensation The Ritual: Black Nun looks like a western-produced feature film. As the story reveals itself to the viewers, it becomes clearer that this is a Khmer film, with a strong Cambodian identity and close links to
Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste
Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one
Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24
The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.
Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1
A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the