Cambodia-Russia Child Sex Abuse Trial

Trofimov, when he was arrested in October 2007.

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) - A Russian businessman denied during his trial Tuesday that he sexually abused a young girl in Cambodia.Alexander Trofimov, 41, is accused of debauchery, a Cambodian legal offense covering sexual abuse of children that is punishable by between 10 and 20 years in jail.

He was arrested in October on allegations he had sexually abused as many as 19 girls since 2005. The trial, however, covers only one offense. Testimony in the trial concluded Tuesday. Judge Ke Sakhan said he would announce a verdict Friday.The alleged victim, a 14-year-old girl, testified that Trofimov had sex with her in September last year.She claimed she received US$100 (euro65) out of US$1,000 (euro650) that was paid to a broker to bring her to the defendant.Trofimov denied the charge, saying through a translator that «I have never seen her or committed any sex acts with her.» He urged the court to release him.Trofimov runs a company that in late 2006 received permission from the Cambodian government to develop Koh Puos, or Snake Island, off the coastal town of Sihanoukville into a tourist resort.Phal Vannara, a 34-year-old Cambodian man, is charged with conspiracy in the sexual abuse for his alleged role as the broker who procured the girl. He is being tried alongside Trofimov.