Five Britons, among a a few other foreigners in Cambodia, were arrested near the country’s ancient Angkor Wat temples for provocative dancing.
The young British males who were seen showcasing their ‘pornographic’ dance moves with female tourists in public told reporters after the arrest that they had not committed any offense.
Police said they were remanded on indecency charges.
As shown in the pictures released by local news outlets, Cambodian authorities alleged that the offences occured near the sacred ancient temples of Angkor Wat located in the northwest.
Police in Siem Reap said the offenders will be held in prison until they are due to appear in court at a time to be announced.
The suspects, aged are between 19 to 35, include five Brtitish men who have given statements for their case to be tried in the provincial court.
Cambodiaexpatsonline.com, an expatriate website, is believed to have released the disgraceful images.
The group of men and women were seen lying down on the floor of an apartment building, with some of them shirtless, while others who appeared to be tourists watched with pleasure.
One of the prisoners said he had attended a villa party barbeque on Thursday at around 4pm (local time) when police conducted a selective arrest, adding that those who committed the “crime” were not the ones arrested.
‘We’re innocent. We don’t know why we’ve been arrested. We’re getting different stories from different people,’ the suspects said on the condition of anonymity.
‘Honestly, it was really confusing. Everyone was confused. They raided, rounded us up – there was about 80 to 100 people at this party, some of them were tourists. About 30 police officers participated in the raid
‘Our parents are doing what they can. It’s really just trying to keep a good vibe until we know the outcome.’
The Britons and other arrested foreigners were kept at a shocking, inhabitable, makeshift cell on Saturday and the stomach-churning environment caused some of them to vomit.
Vincent Harley Robert Hook, 35, Daniel Richard Leeming Jones, 30, Thomas Alexander Jeffries, 22, Billy Stevens, 21, and Paul Francis Harris, 32, were identified as the five British tourists.
Others in the group of 10 were Job Robertus van der Wel, from The Netherlands, 22, Canadians Jessica Drolet, of Ottawa, 25, and Eden Koazoleas, 19, of Alberta, were also arrested, along with David Nikolaus Aleksandr Ballovarre, of Oslo, Norway, 22, and Paul Martin Brasch, 32, of New Zealand.
Local authority said the competent authorities are preparing this case for the ‘culprits’ to face a quick trial.
If the suspects are found guilty, the laws of Cambodia say they could face up to 1 year in prison. However, it is heartbreaking to know that due to the country’s sluggish judicial system, the prisoners may not be arraigned in six month’s time.
Officials from the UK Foriegn Office said they’re providing assistance to their compatriots who are now permitted to sleep on the floor of an office at the police station instead of the dirty cell.
The alleged ‘provocative dancers’ have been offered pizza and better food to eat while awaiting trial, and they’re grateful to the police for showing understanding.
Photos of the offending tourists were taken by one of those present at the scene. One of them may have released the exhibits to cambodiaexpatsonline.com
A total of 8 men and 2 women have been remanded for further investigations, and police say it is inconsequential whether they had indulged in actual sex or not.
