Published: Wednesday November 17, 2010Source: NZPA
A Cambodian women's group is accusing a New Zealand man convicted for rape of defamation and demanded he pay $US5000 ($NZ6535) in compensation and issue an apology.
Graham Cleghorn (pictured), 62, was convicted in 2004 of raping five teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 19 who were employed as maids at his Siem Reap home.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and faces an extra two years per victim if he refuses to pay each of them $US2000 in compensation.
Cleghorn has accused a local NGO - Cambodian Women's Crisis Centre (CWCC) - of offering $US10,000 to his victims in exchange for them testifying against him, through various media outlets.
The defamation hearing against Cleghorn took place at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday.
CWCC manager Ket Noeun told the court the defamation complaint stemmed from Cleghorn's repeated statements through the press, the Phnom Penh Post reported.
Cleghorn argued the evidence was first heard in court so could not be defamation.
Lawyer for CWCC Mey Sophea requested the court demand Cleghorn pay $US5000 compensation and to issue a public apology.
Judge Din Sivuthy said a verdict would be announced on November 26.
A Cambodian women's group is accusing a New Zealand man convicted for rape of defamation and demanded he pay $US5000 ($NZ6535) in compensation and issue an apology.
Graham Cleghorn (pictured), 62, was convicted in 2004 of raping five teenage girls between the ages of 14 and 19 who were employed as maids at his Siem Reap home.
He was sentenced to 20 years in prison and faces an extra two years per victim if he refuses to pay each of them $US2000 in compensation.
Cleghorn has accused a local NGO - Cambodian Women's Crisis Centre (CWCC) - of offering $US10,000 to his victims in exchange for them testifying against him, through various media outlets.
The defamation hearing against Cleghorn took place at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday.
CWCC manager Ket Noeun told the court the defamation complaint stemmed from Cleghorn's repeated statements through the press, the Phnom Penh Post reported.
Cleghorn argued the evidence was first heard in court so could not be defamation.
Lawyer for CWCC Mey Sophea requested the court demand Cleghorn pay $US5000 compensation and to issue a public apology.
Judge Din Sivuthy said a verdict would be announced on November 26.
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