By Chhay Channyda
Tuesday, 01 May 2012
Phnom Penh Post
Three of four victims of a vicious beating – allegedly at the hands of
one of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s aides and three others – have accepted
between $3,000 and $5,000 to withdraw their complaints, police said
yesterday.
Lay Menglaing, chief of the minor crime police office in Koh Kong
province, said victims Sang Thairath, 32, Norng Suden, 42, and Eang
Kosal, 30, had withdrawn complaints relating to the violent beating –
captured on CCTV footage and uploaded to YouTube – in a hotel in Koh Kong province on April 22.
“Sang
Thirath and Norng Suden received $3,000 each because they got minor
injuries, and Eang Kosal received $5,000 because he’s a military police
officer – a government official.”
Victim Norng Suden confirmed he was not taking the matter further because he did not want any more trouble with the suspects.
“I
received $3,000 compensation to treat my injuries,” he said. “I was
beaten in the face until my teeth were broken,” he said. “It depends on
the court’s decision whether any more action will be taken.”
Norng
Suden said he did not believe Bun Sokha, who is a deputy chief of staff
in the prime minister’s bodyguard unit, would have intimidated him if
he had persisted with the complaint.
“I fear him. He is powerful, but I believe this would not have happened. He promised us.”
Victim Sang Thairath said even less about the incident.
“I
have never filed a complaint against [Bun Sokha]. I compromised on the
24th,” he said. “The [suspects] apologised to us. I don’t want to talk a
lot, and I don’t want to have the media write about this.”
Eang
Kosal and the fourth victim, Phat Sokha, the most seriously injured in
the attack, could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Bun Sokha
along with two bodyguards and a driver were seen in a video beating
four men while arguing over a lost necklace at a room Bun Sokha and his
wife were staying in.
Lay Menglaing said yesterday the suspects had “really committed the crime as seen in that video”.
“It’s actual crime. Their behaviour was not appropriate,” he said.
“Withdrawing
complaints were done with the court, so it’s not police’s role to judge
whether to release or remain detaining the suspects,” he said. “It’s
the court’s right.”
Investigating judge Kham Sophary declined to comment yesterday.
Neang Boratino, provincial coordinator of human rights group Adhoc, said the case was serious and should continue.
“If
these suspects are released, it shows Cambodian law still bows to
powerful men’s influence – because we have concrete evidence.”
In Kong Chet, provincial coordinator for human rights group Licadho,
said that because it could take up to three years for a trial to end,
the victims had been forced to accept compensation to pay for medical
treatment.
Bun Sokha, his bodyguards Sum Veasna and Meang
Chheangly and driver Sum Chhaiya face jail terms of three to five years
if convicted on charges of “intentional violence”.
To contact the reporter on this story: Chhay Channyda at channyda.chhay@phnompenhpost.com
4 comments:
Wow there you go, no surprises. Guess they got their asses bought out. It's bad enough that Cambodia is corrupted with CPP filth, whats worse is these people are willing to give away their dignity, honor, and the right to execute their justified rights all because of the 'FUGLY DOLLAR'.
Good example guys, you are an insult, that's why everyday you are mistreated like because of your greed. And it's bad enough for me as a FELLOW KHMER to say this to YOU.
And is a shame that the late Mr. Chut Whutty has to lose his life.
1. Corrupted uncaring unpatriotic government, the CPP.
2. Annoying foreign leeches and their pretend-to-help NGO's
3. FUGLY illegal immigrants.
4. Gullible, greedy undignified peoiple.
FUKING ANGRY
CPP GUY
Wow there you go, no surprises. Guess they got their asses bought out. It's bad enough that Cambodia is corrupted with CPP filth, whats worse is these people are willing to give away their dignity, honor, and the right to execute their justified rights all because of the 'FUGLY DOLLAR'.
Good example guys, you are an insult, that's why everyday you are mistreated like because of your greed. And it's bad enough for me as a FELLOW KHMER to say this to YOU.
And is a shame that the late Mr. Chut Whutty has to lose his life.
1. Corrupted uncaring unpatriotic government, the CPP.
2. Annoying foreign leeches and their pretend-to-help NGO's
3. FUGLY illegal immigrants.
4. Gullible, greedy undignified peoiple.
FUKING ANGRY
CPP GUY
No, those criminals must be jailed for 10 years or more,but not only these criminals paid the heavy prices for the victims.
Don't be silly to accept the buyouts to make these criminals get away. Otherwise, these criminals will still be dangerous. These criminals should be seriously punished until they learn the big lesson.
Very disappointed that Khmer folks are not listening. Wonder Khmer folks will vote for CPP because of bribery.
You are not going to live forever. It is very sad that Khmer folks like four of them were beaten by the asshole CPP dog of stupid PM Hun Sen, a Vietnamese dog.
What is wrong with these victims who accepted the money for nothing to save Cambodia. Very dumb!!!
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