American Head of Christian NGO Arrested for Rape
Ministry of the Interior’s Anti-Human Trafficking and Juvenile Protection Police in collaboration with America’s FBI yesterday arrested Daniel Stephen Johnson, an American citizen.
The arrest was made at a house in Sonsom Kosol Village, Beoung Thom Phun Commune, Mean Chey District, on the 9th of December, 2013, and was related to five rapes committed in the USA.
According to a news source (unnamed), Johnson, 35 years of age, was residing at ‘Hope Transitions,’ a Christian Missionary NGO, where 32 children, 21 boys and 11 girls, were housed, the majority being under 18 years of age.
According to an official from Phnom Penh Department of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation, the NGO had no legal authorization to operate in Cambodia.
Nevertheless, the place was properly set up and appointed as an NGO compound, with Khmers and foreigners residing together within along with the suspect, who held the position of NGO director.
After the arrest was made, Cambodian police and America’s FBI had the suspect taken to the នាយកដ្ឋានជនបរទេស (lit. foreigner department) in order to prepare his extradition to America.
An official who participated in the American’s arrest stated that the collaborative operation was set in motion on the order of the national police commissioner, General Net Savouen.
Johnson, a recent arrival in Cambodia, had just leased the house as the NGO’s residence in August, 2013.
Khmer news from the Koh Santepheap translated by Porky Pig
More details here.
