Monday, June 04, 2007

Prince, swords and crime slash royal reputation

By Cheang Sokha and Vong Sokheng
Phnom Penh Post, Issue 16 / 11, June 1 - 14, 2007

Handcuffed, downcast, under police escort, Prince Norodom Charuchak arrived at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 30 - 31 to face interrogation about alleged participation in organized crime and gang violence.

Charuchak, the son of Prince Norodom Chakrapong and grandson of retired King Norodom Siahnouk, was arrested May 28 along with eight male suspects and a young woman, all aged 16 to 20, at a rented flat in 7 Makara district, Beung Pralet commune.

Police said the raid was sparked by a three-month string of related robberies and gang warfare in the Phnom Penh district, once infamous for its violent crime.

"We confiscated five illegal swords and two motorbikes," said Huy Song, deputy police chief of 7 Makara district. "They confessed that the swords were meant to be used for revenge on another group of gangsters."

Song, said the crack down was needed to restore public order and security after police received numerous complains about "this annoying group of gangsters."

According to Deputy Prosecutor Ung Bunchea, the suspects were held for two days at 7 Makara police station, before being questioned individually by the court. He told the Post that two suspects were released on May 31 and seven others were being further investigated. A conviction for armed robbery carries a six to 10 year prison sentence.

The highly publicized arrest has drawn charges of political motivation aimed at Chakrapong, now acting president of the Norodom Ranariddh Party (NRP). Ranariddh, Charuchak's uncle, is in Malaysia and faces an 18 months prison sentence for the illegal sale of his former political party's headquarters. Chakrapong, currently in Bangkok, organized a short-lived secession movement in 1993 and was implicated in a coup attempt in 1994. Chakrapong, who has six wives and 13 children,was allowed to flee the country in 1994.

Prince Sisowath Thomico, second deputy president of the NRP, said that Charuchak was not a member of any political party.

"I dare not conclude that there is political motivation, but Charuchak's father is a politician and based on the culture of communist, he was a threat against his father," Thomico said.

Nhim Yoeun, deputy chief of the 7 Makara penal office, agreed that Charuchak's arrest was not about politics. Yoeun alleged the Prince provided accommodation for gangsters.

On May 29, Yim Simony, 7 Makara district police chief told a group of reporters that Charuchak rented the flat in February for $180 per month. Police described the apartment as a hiding place used by gansters.

Wearing dark denim jeans and a black T- shirt on May 31, the portly prince sat quietly on the floor in the hall of the prosecutor building. A 22-year-old bachelor, Charuchak is called "Dy Dy" by his friends.

"The prince is very moral and never committed anything wrong," said a woman at the court who identified herself as a relative of the Prince. "He might know some of them but I believe he is not involved."

Cambodian media has reported ongoing incidents involving allegations of the children from elite families engaging in criminal acts, including shootings and murders.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think we can get Dy Dy on
roberry or anything unless we got
his finger print in one of the
crime scenes. However, we should
book him for possessing lethal
weapons in his apartment.

Anonymous said...

The point is about the NORODUMB family. How many more of Norodoms? How many more of THEM are DUMB and perhaps, MR?

Anonymous said...

Sadly, there a lot more Norodumbs
than there are Norodoms, hehehe.

Anonymous said...

If one of HUN SEN's son committed the same offense as the young prince did , will he be arrested? i wonder.

Anonymous said...

Hey Dude, if you are looking for
a perfect textbook's world, just
take a couple teaspoon of
cyanides, and you will be there in
no time where all kings and queens
are ruled by the same law as anyone
else. There will be no poverty, no
diseases, no land grabing, ...,
nor corruption. You would like
that, don't you?

Anonymous said...

yee THOUGHR WORLD!

Anonymous said...

Poor Young Prince(Preat),DY DY
I do not blame you only, BUT Your father Chakaping... Your Great Uncle RUNROT(Krom Preat), your relatives.. Krom Khun, Preah Ream..All samdachs... who gave you that example... they have no time to educate you properly... they have spent a lot of times in Lady affairs...polibusiness...in indigniteous activities.... so that you just followed them..
Oh small prince...how as I heard you hold Bachelor??? your Bsc. is just paid school fees of some hundred USD /annually .. later got Degree yhis not education.. it is just educate people to be worth..
Oh younger Prince!! this is not your sole mistake. it is all from your Royal families including Your Ta's !!!
you know my prince, what Degree Your father hold so far as he is Prince and son of your Ta???

Poor Price why you jumped into Trap ???
You do not have to cpompare with other High-Rank sons/Relatives Poor Prince How you like your father and your Great Uncle??? Physically and mentally ???

Eras of Royal Scandal ??? Royal disapearance??? ..Indignity ??? FIN

Anonymous said...

Cheyyo Sdach Knoss(handcuff)!!!
DY DY did your father or Gerat Uncle Run Rot tell you that you/and your Royal family are the Focal Point(evry one of your competitors(cpp/and other..Court..)?? Why did you JUMP TNTO TRAPS yourself?? You father had no time to talk to you or educate you because he spends time to KARAOKAY/Massages!!!
SHIT

Anonymous said...

Cheyyo Sdach Knoss(handcuff)!!!
DY DY did your father or Gerat Uncle Run Rot tell you that you/and your Royal family are the Focal Point(evry one of your competitors focussed on you(cpp/and other..Court..)?? Why did you JUMP TNTO TRAPS yourself?? Your father had no time to talk to you or educate you because he alot of spends time for KARAOKAY/Massages!!!or for mistress !!!
BUT DO NOT WOORY After you name and face are worldwide publicized in Nwespaper You will be released.......

SHIT