Heng Pov (Photo: RFA)Wednesday, September 20, 2006
By Douglas Gillison and Phann Ana
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Former Phnom Penh police chief Heng Pov on Tuesday rejected his conviction for the murder of a judge, claiming he was framed for the crime after falling out with top government officials.
In a statement issued by his Australian lawyer David Chen, Heng Pov denied all responsibility for the 2003 slaying of Sok Sethamony, for which the court sentenced him to 18 years in prison on Monday.
"I did not kill Sok Sethamony nor do I know who actually killed him," Heng Pov wrote. "I have never committed the crimes they accused me of."
Five other former police officials who were close associates of Heng Pov were given 16-year sentences by the court for orchestrating the killing. They were also ordered to pay $300,000 compensation to the victim's widow.
Heng Pov’s statement reiterated claims he made last month that National Police Commissioner Hok Lundy grew angry with him for his disobedience and Prime Minister Hun Sen turned against him because of his contacts with opposition politicians and human rights groups.
In December, Hok Lundy vowed "that he would melt me like water," Heng Pov claimed in his latest statement.
"In Cambodia, one cannot get justice involving senior ranking government officials such as Hun Sen and Hok Lundy," Heng Pov alleged. He also said he would have been killed if he had returned to stand trial.
Hok Lundy dismissed the allegations. "He's just attacking me and making accusations against me," Hok Lundy said Tuesday, before declining further comment.
Municipal Prosecutor Ouk Savouth also shrugged off Heng Pov’s claims.
"The court does not do anything without evidence and law," he said.
Interior Minister spokesman Khieu Sopheak also said Heng Pov’s claims should not be taken seriously. "No one can shut his mouth," he said. "Because he lost the case, he has to find any argument to support himself."
In a statement issued by his Australian lawyer David Chen, Heng Pov denied all responsibility for the 2003 slaying of Sok Sethamony, for which the court sentenced him to 18 years in prison on Monday.
"I did not kill Sok Sethamony nor do I know who actually killed him," Heng Pov wrote. "I have never committed the crimes they accused me of."
Five other former police officials who were close associates of Heng Pov were given 16-year sentences by the court for orchestrating the killing. They were also ordered to pay $300,000 compensation to the victim's widow.
Heng Pov’s statement reiterated claims he made last month that National Police Commissioner Hok Lundy grew angry with him for his disobedience and Prime Minister Hun Sen turned against him because of his contacts with opposition politicians and human rights groups.
In December, Hok Lundy vowed "that he would melt me like water," Heng Pov claimed in his latest statement.
"In Cambodia, one cannot get justice involving senior ranking government officials such as Hun Sen and Hok Lundy," Heng Pov alleged. He also said he would have been killed if he had returned to stand trial.
Hok Lundy dismissed the allegations. "He's just attacking me and making accusations against me," Hok Lundy said Tuesday, before declining further comment.
Municipal Prosecutor Ouk Savouth also shrugged off Heng Pov’s claims.
"The court does not do anything without evidence and law," he said.
Interior Minister spokesman Khieu Sopheak also said Heng Pov’s claims should not be taken seriously. "No one can shut his mouth," he said. "Because he lost the case, he has to find any argument to support himself."
6 comments:
HENG POV, I don’t know you, but I believe your words. In the past, I understand that you were a little bit corrupted, but at least you still have a better heart than HUN SEN and HOK LUNDI. Anyways, buddha will forgive you and protect you, as long as you know your guilt. Our people have suffered too long . I am too anxious to hear good news from you soon, HENG POV. MAY BUDDHA BLESS YOU AND GOOD LUCK !!
HENG POV, whatever you did I stand by you.
Continue to tell the truth to let all the KHMERS AND THE WORLD know about the CRUELTY OF YUON XEN.
I praise that many more HENG POV will appear again.
Good luck!
The Khmers have to do something with Viet Sen. Look at Thailand. That should be happening in Cambodia also. Stand up and fight for your rights!
Heng Pov shares the same guilt as Hun Sen and Hok Lundy. These three stooges had poked each other eyes because of jealousy. Since 1996, Heng Pov knows that one day he will face this situation after he decided to accept a Land Cruiser gift in order to shut his mouth. Remember that once you point finger to another person, four other fingers point at yourself. Hun Sen used to point finger at World Bank for not providing witness in corruption case. Hok Lundy accused Heng Pov for murder.
The Irony of Heng Pov case, how can a case so complicated as this be trial and a "guilty" decision has been pass down by this Municipa Prosecuter Ouk Savouth in ONE day.
Any serious trial of this nature in other country take months and even years to pass down a decision.
As a result this show clearly Hun Sen, Hok Lundy & CPP govenment motive to quicklt prosecute Heng Pov to strenghten their accussations against Heng Pov.
The rush to proceed quickly suggested that Heng Pov does have vitual evidences to pin Hun Sen, Hok Lundy and the CPP officals of corruptions, killing, drugs smuggling, people smuggling etc. Hence the USA visit visa rejection of Hok Lundy.
Heng Pov and his Lawyer need to find the right source and publicly release this evidence to the world.
On the contrary, it took 30 years to initate a Khmer Rouge trail which is still in limbo "NO rush" to prosecute anyone involved. There is NO RUSH to to catch the perpetrators to trail for the 97 grenade attack.
There is NO RUSH TO arrest for any of past oppositions MPs murders? all when "SILENT AND FORGOTTEN" why?
It is no doubt that HUN Sen's goverment has been trying all the possibilties to arrest HENG Pov. However, these evil men can not reach their objective.
Ah HOK Longdy ordered to Ah MOK Chito and the Phnom penh court to create more serious cases against HENG Pov and his colleagues.
It is the problem between HENG Pov and Ah Kdy, but some of Pov's colleagues are put in the jail and the others are escaping from their works and their families. It is unfair for the low ranking police who used to work with HENG Pov!
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