Cambodian police arrest father wanted by Interpol over kidnapping charges

A Swedish mother had a tearful reunion with her six-year-old daughter yesterday after her former partner was located by Cambodian police.

Norwegian Torgeir Nordbo, 47, was arrested with his daughter Alicia Elfversson late on Tuesday in Pursat, 200km north of Phnom Penh. Wanted by Interpol, he has been charged with kidnapping.

Bith Kim Hong, head of Cambodia's anti-trafficking department, said police were working with Interpol and Swedish authorities to arrange his extradition.

"He confessed to us and said that he wanted his daughter to live with him, but that is illegal," Bith Kim Hong told AFP.

Maria Elfversson came to Bangkok several months ago to publicise her hunt for her daughter, who was abducted last June.

Steve Morris, executive director of the anti-human trafficking group Sisha, said, Alicia was very scared, looking very small and skinny.

Nordbo has business interests in Thailand.