Swiss national arrested, 3 children rescued

by Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
September 26, 2024

Members of the Child Protection Unit (CPU) inspect the residence of a Swiss national accused of child sexual abuse. CPU

The Child Protection Unit (CPU) has announced that three children have been rescued and a Swiss national arrested after a two-month investigation into child sexual abuse in Phnom Penh.

Task Force FOXTROT23 was established in conjunction with the Ministry of Interior, Phnom Penh Police Command, Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Police Command and the Child Protection Unit (CPU) to investigate allegations of child sexual abuse and the production of child pornography.

It will be one of the CPU’s biggest investigations since starting operations 10 years ago.

James McCabe, the Director of the CPU, said that from September 26-28, investigators executed search warrants on several locations and uncovered a substantial amount of evidence including mobile phones, cameras, laptops, industry-grade film lights, lubricants and performance-enhancing drugs.

“The evidence was extremely disturbing and suggested that individuals were involved in filming and production of child pornography. The production and distribution of child pornography is an abhorrent crime and has global and regional ramifications,” said McCabe.

“In 10 years, this is the first time the CPU has encountered such a professional setup. It is a credit to the Cambodian National Police that they acted so decisively to prevent such crimes and rescue the children. I want to thank Commissioner General Sar Thet for this investigation as well as National Deputy Commissioner Chi Polly and Commissioner of Phnom Penh Choun Narin for their guidance and command of the investigation,” he said.

Investigations are continuing to establish the extent of offences.

The Swiss Federal Police have joined the task force and are assisting in the investigation.

“I want to make it very clear that this investigation is ongoing and all persons involved will be identified. The Task Force is utilising the services of its international police partners and will not stop until all persons involved, no matter what country they’re in, are identified,” said McCabe.

Set up in 2013, the CPU is a unique collaboration between NGO Cambodian Children’s Fund (CCF) and the National Police to investigate all serious crimes against children in Cambodia and Southeast Asia and bring offenders to justice.