Ranariddh Might Dodge Lawsuit From Princess
By Yun Samean
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
Princess Norodom Marie Ranariddh may withdraw a lawsuit seeking the prosecution of her estranged husband Prince Norodom Ranariddh for adultery if the prince is willing to negotiate with her, a top Funcinpec official said.
Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay warned Tuesday that if the prince is unable to broker such a compromise, he faces bleak prospects as a criminal conviction would end his political career.
"If he wants to lead his Norodom Ranariddh Party to do politics, he must come to a compromise with Princess Marie. Then his wife can withdraw the lawsuit," Nhiek Bun Chhay said in a speech in Kompong Cham province that was broadcast on Funcinpec's 90 FM Radio station Wednesday.
Nhiek Bun Chhay alleged the princess filed the lawsuit earlier this month to block Prince Ranariddh from giving all their property to his current partner, classical dancer Ouk Phalla.
"Princess Marie filed the lawsuit against Prince Norodom Ranariddh because if she didn't, she could not receive properties. Samdech Krom Preah would take them to give to one lady, Ouk Phalla," Nhiek Bun Chhay claimed.
Princess Marie, a Funcinpec lawmaker and senior minister, could not be reached for comment.
Nhiek Bun Chhay also launched into a blistering personal attack on the prince that included allegations concerning corruption and a string of extramarital affairs with various other women over the years. He also said the prince owned many airplanes, speedboats and villas abroad.
Nhiek Bun Chhay warned that Prince Ranariddh may be investigated for alleged corruption.
Norodom Ranariddh Party spokesman Muth Channtha denied the allegations and questioned why Nhiek Bun Chhay accused the prince of graft but not senior officials currently in the government.
Nhiek Bun Chhay may be hiding financial scandals of his own for which he could be prosecuted, Muth Channtha hinted.
Prince Ranariddh is not interested in compromising with his wife, Muth Channtha added.
Prince Norodom Chakrapong, NRP acting president claimed that Funcinpec itself is currently a magnet for corrupt officials.
"All corrupt officials stay with Nhiek Bun Chhay," he claimed. "You should look at yourself before you point at other people,'' he added.
The vitriolic exchange between the former royalist colleagues marked a new low in the troubled relationship between the two parties.
Hang Puthea, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free Elections in Cambodia, said Nhiek Bun Chhay's colorful corruption allegations are of little legal import, as there is no anti-corruption law.
"The accusations are part of [Funcinpec's] election campaign," he said.
Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay warned Tuesday that if the prince is unable to broker such a compromise, he faces bleak prospects as a criminal conviction would end his political career.
"If he wants to lead his Norodom Ranariddh Party to do politics, he must come to a compromise with Princess Marie. Then his wife can withdraw the lawsuit," Nhiek Bun Chhay said in a speech in Kompong Cham province that was broadcast on Funcinpec's 90 FM Radio station Wednesday.
Nhiek Bun Chhay alleged the princess filed the lawsuit earlier this month to block Prince Ranariddh from giving all their property to his current partner, classical dancer Ouk Phalla.
"Princess Marie filed the lawsuit against Prince Norodom Ranariddh because if she didn't, she could not receive properties. Samdech Krom Preah would take them to give to one lady, Ouk Phalla," Nhiek Bun Chhay claimed.
Princess Marie, a Funcinpec lawmaker and senior minister, could not be reached for comment.
Nhiek Bun Chhay also launched into a blistering personal attack on the prince that included allegations concerning corruption and a string of extramarital affairs with various other women over the years. He also said the prince owned many airplanes, speedboats and villas abroad.
Nhiek Bun Chhay warned that Prince Ranariddh may be investigated for alleged corruption.
Norodom Ranariddh Party spokesman Muth Channtha denied the allegations and questioned why Nhiek Bun Chhay accused the prince of graft but not senior officials currently in the government.
Nhiek Bun Chhay may be hiding financial scandals of his own for which he could be prosecuted, Muth Channtha hinted.
Prince Ranariddh is not interested in compromising with his wife, Muth Channtha added.
Prince Norodom Chakrapong, NRP acting president claimed that Funcinpec itself is currently a magnet for corrupt officials.
"All corrupt officials stay with Nhiek Bun Chhay," he claimed. "You should look at yourself before you point at other people,'' he added.
The vitriolic exchange between the former royalist colleagues marked a new low in the troubled relationship between the two parties.
Hang Puthea, director of the Neutral and Impartial Committee for Free Elections in Cambodia, said Nhiek Bun Chhay's colorful corruption allegations are of little legal import, as there is no anti-corruption law.
"The accusations are part of [Funcinpec's] election campaign," he said.
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