The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday heard the case of a Sen Sok district massage parlour owner accused of operating his business as a front for prostitution yesterday.

Judge Kim Rathnarin said that defendant Lim Savoeun, 35, owner of 368 Massage Shop, was charged with “procurement of prostitution” after being arrested in April.

“He allegedly allowed massage girls who worked in his shop to have sex with their clients in exchange for getting a commission from them,” Rathnarin said.

“The girls had sex with clients at a price of $20 to $30 per time, but he took . . . from 10,000 riel (about $2.5) to 20,000 riel for one client,” he added.

Lieutenant Colonel Keo Thea, chief of municipal anti-human trafficking police, said that Savoeun and five alleged sex workers – two of whom were underage – were arrested in a raid on the massage parlour.

The five workers were later released without charge.

In court yesterday, Savoeun said he had been unaware that sex was being sold at his establishment.

A verdict is due on September 1.