By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh
03 April 2008
Jailed former police chief Heng Pov has appealed to an adviser of Prime Minister Hun Sen to release court-frozen funds so that he can continue to defend himself against a battery of charges.
Heng Pov, who, as the police chief of Phnom Penh, was in the top circle of Cambodia's security apparatus, is serving a sentence of more than 40 years for involvement in murders, kidnappings and possession of illegal weapons and counterfeit bills.
In an April 1 letter to Om Yentieng, head of Cambodia's Human Rights Committee and adviser to Hun Sen, Heng Pov pleaded for the release of the frozen funds.
Heng Pov wrote he needed the money for his lawyer, school fees for his children and medication for himself.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court had not responded to similar requests in the past, he wrote.
Lawyer Kao Sopha confirmed Heng Pov had asked for the funds to be released from Canadia Bank, where Heng Pov has more than $900,000.
Heng Pov requested to withdraw $200,000, Kao Sopha said, adding Heng Pov had money in other banks but he did not know how much.
Om Yentieng has yet to respond to the letter, and he could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court Chief Chiev Keng declined comment Thursday.
Heng Pov is facing demands of compensation from victims, Phnom Penh Municipal Court Investigating Judge Sao Meach said.
The courts froze Heng Pov's funds in 2006, writing that the money would be held until all cases against him are heard.
Heng Pov, who, as the police chief of Phnom Penh, was in the top circle of Cambodia's security apparatus, is serving a sentence of more than 40 years for involvement in murders, kidnappings and possession of illegal weapons and counterfeit bills.
In an April 1 letter to Om Yentieng, head of Cambodia's Human Rights Committee and adviser to Hun Sen, Heng Pov pleaded for the release of the frozen funds.
Heng Pov wrote he needed the money for his lawyer, school fees for his children and medication for himself.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court had not responded to similar requests in the past, he wrote.
Lawyer Kao Sopha confirmed Heng Pov had asked for the funds to be released from Canadia Bank, where Heng Pov has more than $900,000.
Heng Pov requested to withdraw $200,000, Kao Sopha said, adding Heng Pov had money in other banks but he did not know how much.
Om Yentieng has yet to respond to the letter, and he could not be reached for comment Thursday.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court Chief Chiev Keng declined comment Thursday.
Heng Pov is facing demands of compensation from victims, Phnom Penh Municipal Court Investigating Judge Sao Meach said.
The courts froze Heng Pov's funds in 2006, writing that the money would be held until all cases against him are heard.
6 comments:
How amazing. A one star police officer can amass more than a million dollars in bank accounts.
Just imagine what can others with more stars and opportunities do for their wealth.
0000
There's no doubt that these thugs make more money than the US president. Disgusting!!! Just think about how many innocent victims that strived each and every day to make ends meet, only to get robbed by their own government. Bad karma will get you soon, you pathetic thug!!
cambodian court should hang him as an example, like saddam of iraq.
Just imagine, If Heng Pov has this much of money with his salery of maybe $1000 a month when he was police chief, how much fortune the other powerful elites will have?
Well, you can't go much higher than the police chief. Thus, it couldn't be more than 2 to 3 times that amount.
3:06 AM yes you can! You just have to work a little bit harder. Remember, the money that you've distorted is the money you keep. Not to mentioned tax free.
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