A Cambodian court on Tuesday handed two Frenchmen partially suspended two-year prison sentences for sexually abusing teenage boys, a punishment criticised as too lenient by the victims’ lawyer.
Denis Page, 63, and Jean Vidon, 67, were arrested on October 25 last year for paying for sex with the boys aged 15 and 17 in a hotel room in northwestern Battambang province.
The court ordered them to serve one year in jail from the day of their arrest and suspended the remaining year, meaning they could soon be released although the boys could appeal the verdict.
“I’m not satisfied because the sentences are lenient. I will discuss it with my clients and we may appeal,” said the victims’ lawyer, Hong Sambath.
The court also ordered the French nationals to pay each victim four million riel (around US$1,000) in compensation and be deported after serving their time.
