For the last month, the Siem Reap Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Police (AHTJPP) and AIM SWAT Officers have been conducting an investigation on a KTV Restaurant after receiving information that young girls were being sold there.
At around 6:30 PM on Monday, February 12th, the Siem Reap AHTJP Police supported by AIM SWAT Officers executed a raid at the location, which is in the north of Siem Reap province. Because of the nature of the information we had received, AIM aftercare staff was also present for the raid.
During the raid, 6 minors were rescued and the Khmer couple managing the KTV Restaurant were arrested on suspicion of trafficking the girls. AHTJP Police searched the location and seized evidence, and the location was officially closed by Police, the Prosecutor, and Local Authorities.
During interviews, all 6 minors shared that they had been sold for sex to the profit of the suspected traffickers. They have subsequently been transferred to a safe location with a partner organization to receive aftercare services. The arrested couple were detained and taken to court where they were charged with child sex trafficking related offences and remanded to prison to await trial. The AIM SWAT legal team will represent all 6 victims throughout the legal process.
