Fifty six-year old Kenneth Robert Klassen was charged on March 9 with 35 counts
of sex tourism-related offenses committed in Cambodia, Colombia and the
Philippines from 1998 to 2002, the press release said, adding that the charges
were laid in relation to 17 victims, including eight Cambodian girls.
The investigation, which spanned two and a half years, began when the Canada
Border Service Agency (CBSA) at the Vancouver International Airport identified
a suspicious parcel being shipped from the Philippines to Vancouver, the press
release said.
After examining the parcel's contents, CBSA discovered DVDs that contained
images in contravention of the Criminal Code of Canada, it said, adding that
the parcel was then turned over to the RCMP.
During a search of Klassen's properties, the RCMP found DVDs allegedly
containing video clips that depict Klassen engaged in illegal sexual conduct
involving young females ranging from 9 to 18 years of age, it said.
As the girls appeared to be South American or Southeast Asian in origin, an
international investigation was launched, it added.
"Without the cooperation of authorities in Cambodia, Mr. Klassen would not have
been charged with his alleged crimes against eight Cambodian victims," the
press release quoted Canadian Ambassador Donica Pottie as saying.
Xinhua
