Court charges Ranariddh for another legal case

Prince Ranariddh showing off his young son with Ouk Phalla (in blue skirt) (Photo: Koh Santepheap newspaper)

17 March 2007

Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The prosecutor of the Phnom Penh municipal court charged Prince Ranariddh of having extra-marital affair and marital infidelity for his involvement with Mrs. Ouk Phala, the former Apsara royal ballet dancer. The affair led to the birth of a son, the charge mentioned. The prosecutor sent the case to the investigation judge in order to hold a hearing and to obtain the final judgment in the case.

This is a second charge leveled against Prince Ranariddh after he was sentenced to 18-month jail sentence and a $150,000 fine stemming form the sale of the Funcinpec party headquarters. The court indicated that the charge was brought since February of this year, but that it was only revealed until 16 March to coincide with the election campaign.

After receiving the charge, prosecutor Uk Savuth sent the case to judge Sok Kalyan so that both parties can present themselves to the court to answer questions and defend themselves on this accusation.

Prince Ranariddh did not show up to court. Muong Arun, Prince Ranariddh’s lawyer, said that he sent a letter to the court clarifying that his defendant is not guilty as charged by Princess Marie, Prince Ranariddh’s wife.

Based on Article 2 of the monogamy law which states that: “Cambodian people form both sexes who are bound by marriage, must abide by the monogamy rule by accepting to be one wife and one woman through the registration of a marriage license by an official, in accordance with the marriage and family law,” Muong Arun said that his defendant did not register a new marriage certificate with Prince Marie Ranariddh. Therefore, the monogamy law is not applicable in his defendant’s case.

A source close to NRP said that Prince Ranariddh and Princess Maries are only partners and they are not actual husband and wife. Furthermore, the official stated that the monogamy law cannot be applied retroactively, therefore the law is not applicable in the case of Prince Ranariddh.

A legal expert said that Prince Ranariddh cannot get away from his responsibility in his marriage with Princess Marie because their wedding was universally known, and that 3 children are proof of this union.

Even though Article 11 of the monogamy law states: “This law cannot be applied retroactively,” some legal experts explained that a man involved in extra-marital affairs with a woman before the law passes, cannot be charged. However, once the law comes into effect, and the man still continues to have a mistress, then he can be charged according to the monogamy law.

After receiving the file, judge Sok Kalyan decided to bring the charge against Prince Ranariddh for marital infidelity, as stated in Articles 7 and 10 of the monogamy law, and the file was sent over to Kim Ravy, the investigation judge.

Article 7 of the monogamy law states that: “Infidelity is considered as the relationship between a man who is bound by a marriage which has not yet been dissolved and a woman other than his wife; or the relationship between a woman who is bound by a marriage which has not yet been dissolved and a man other than her husband. The infidelity charge will be brought against any man who is bound by a marriage which has not yet been dissolved, but maintains a relationship with another woman, or any woman who is bound by a marriage which has not yet been dissolved, but maintains a relationship with another man.

If the court finds the prince guilty, he could face a jail sentence of 1 month to 1 year. On 13 March 2007, the Phnom Penh municipal court handed an 18-month jail sentence to Prince Ranariddh for breach of trust in the sale of the Funcinpec party headquarters. Therefore, with the infidelity charge brought by the Phnom Penh municipal court, the prince will face additional sentence to the one handed to him on 13 March.