Cambodia, Thailand agree to withdraw troops from disputed land around temple

By Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia and Thailand have agreed in principle to withdraw troops from a border area where a territorial dispute triggered deadly clashes.

The agreement was announced Wednesday after Thai Defense Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha met with his Cambodian counterpart, Tea Banh. It is meant to end combat over a small patch of land both countries claim around the ancient temple of Preah Vihear. Eighteen people were killed in the last round of fighting in April.

The new agreement calls for both sides to withdraw troops completely and simultaneously from a demilitarized zone demarcated by the Netherlands-based International Court of Justice, but sets no date. The court in July ordered troops from both countries to withdraw after Cambodia sought its help.
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Russian convicted of child sex charges gets royal pardon from Cambodian king

By Associated Press

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A prison official says a Russian businessman convicted of sexually abusing more than a dozen girls in Cambodia has walked free after being granted a royal pardon.

Preah Sihanouk Prison director Pich Veasna says 45-year-old Alexander Trofimov was one of 360 prisoners granted amnesty by Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. Trofimov had been convicted of buying sex from 17 girls between the ages of six and 13.

Before his arrest in October 2007 Trofimov was chairman of a Russian-led investment group developing a Cambodian tourist island.

Trofimov was originally sentenced to 17 years in jail but his term was slashed to seven years in August 2010.

Trofimov was one the higher profile cases in recent years in Cambodia’s efforts to crackdown on pedophiles.

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