Phnom Penh - A Cambodian court has made its first conviction under its controversial monogamy law which makes adultery a criminal offense, a court official said Tuesday. Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor Sok Kalyan said Cambodian Football Federation first deputy president and nephew of Prince Norodom Ranariddh, Kek Ravy, had pleaded guilty to a charge of infidelity brought by his wife, Nina You.
"This is the first time we have convicted under this law. We just fined him the minimum amount of 1 million riel (250 dollars)," Kalyan said by telephone.
The monogamy law was passed September 2006. Prince-turned-poltician Ranariddh was the first to be charged under the law, which carries maximum penalties of hefty fines and up to a year in jail, but that case has stalled.
Kalyan said the court took into account the fact that Ravy had applied for a divorce 18 months earlier but it had not yet been granted because of wrangling over division of finances. His wife had demanded 500,000 dollars in compensation for his dalliance.
