SIEM REAP: A law enforcement officer of the APSARA Authority has been fined and forced to apologize after video surfaced of him slapping a crying child who was selling baby turtles at Angkor.

The APSARA Authority issued a statement on January 12, saying that the employee had been fined and called in for questioning. He was also required to apologize to the Authority, the child and his parents and sign a contract saying that any further violations on his part would result in the loss of his job and legal proceedings.

The APSARA Authority said that it has always advised its staff, agents and guards to adhere to professional ethics and absolutely avoid the use of violence in dealing with problems. The Authority said it does not accept violence in any form and that it violates the statute of civil servants to use force.

Meanwhile, the APSARA Authority has asked the public not to sell or release any animals at Angkor without permission to avoid harming the animals and plants that are native to the area.