By Ros Sothea, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
20 May 2009
Each morning, a thin Born Samnang stands anxiously near a staircase at a crowded market in central Phnom Penh, looking for clients. Now a motorcycle taxi driver, Born Samnang is trying to put five years of turmoil behind him.
Meanwhile, in Takeo province, Sok Samoeun is trying to earn enough money by teaching English to buy a tuk-tuk, which he’ll use to pick up fares in the capital one day.
Both men were released in January after serving five years in prison, widely believed to be scapegoats, or “plastic killers,” for the 2004 murder of a labor leader.
Both are under provisional release, as an Appeals Court considers the guilty verdicts against them, following a Supreme Court order in December 2008. (No further arrests have been made in the murder, and a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said no investigation will proceed until the court finishes its work.)
“From now on, I am a new person,” Born Samnang said on a recent morning at his market pitch, as he started to sob.
Having now changed his name, he referred to himself in the third person.
“Before, Born Samnang never studied hard and never wanted to be a motodop,” he said.
Now living with his father, who loaned him a motorbike, and his stepmother, the former Born Samnang earns 15,000 riel, about $3.75, per day.
Few recognize him now, he said. His new life as a free man is difficult, he said, especially because the bike is so old, and some customers aren’t willing to hire him.
“Sometimes, I try to beg the clients to go with me, but they refuse,” he said, vowing to keep working until he can find a better career, perhaps as a staff member for an NGO like those who for years advocated for his release.
Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun were arrested not long after the February 2004 shooting of Chea Vichea, a popular leader of the Free Trade Union.
The court initially found them guilty, despite alibis, scant evidence and unreliable witness testimony.
International and local rights groups continuously lobbied for their release, and even the former king, Norodom Sihanouk, said they should be freed.
The Supreme Court eventually ordered the Appeals Court to review their cases, and both were released, having served five years of 20-year sentences.
They are getting by now, free unless they have their verdicts upheld. They are both concentrating on whatever future they can have.
“I really wish to have a three-wheeled moto, for my living and my mother,” Sok Samoeun said.
Meanwhile, in Takeo province, Sok Samoeun is trying to earn enough money by teaching English to buy a tuk-tuk, which he’ll use to pick up fares in the capital one day.
Both men were released in January after serving five years in prison, widely believed to be scapegoats, or “plastic killers,” for the 2004 murder of a labor leader.
Both are under provisional release, as an Appeals Court considers the guilty verdicts against them, following a Supreme Court order in December 2008. (No further arrests have been made in the murder, and a spokesman for the Ministry of Interior said no investigation will proceed until the court finishes its work.)
“From now on, I am a new person,” Born Samnang said on a recent morning at his market pitch, as he started to sob.
Having now changed his name, he referred to himself in the third person.
“Before, Born Samnang never studied hard and never wanted to be a motodop,” he said.
Now living with his father, who loaned him a motorbike, and his stepmother, the former Born Samnang earns 15,000 riel, about $3.75, per day.
Few recognize him now, he said. His new life as a free man is difficult, he said, especially because the bike is so old, and some customers aren’t willing to hire him.
“Sometimes, I try to beg the clients to go with me, but they refuse,” he said, vowing to keep working until he can find a better career, perhaps as a staff member for an NGO like those who for years advocated for his release.
Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun were arrested not long after the February 2004 shooting of Chea Vichea, a popular leader of the Free Trade Union.
The court initially found them guilty, despite alibis, scant evidence and unreliable witness testimony.
International and local rights groups continuously lobbied for their release, and even the former king, Norodom Sihanouk, said they should be freed.
The Supreme Court eventually ordered the Appeals Court to review their cases, and both were released, having served five years of 20-year sentences.
They are getting by now, free unless they have their verdicts upheld. They are both concentrating on whatever future they can have.
“I really wish to have a three-wheeled moto, for my living and my mother,” Sok Samoeun said.
15 comments:
This is what happen to innocent Khmer peoples under Khmer Rouge Hun Sen's government.
Five year in jail for a crime that they didn't commit. Not to mention, lack of evidence and phony witness? Wow! That is outrageous. These two were guilty even before they were arrested.
This is Huynh Qwack imbalance justice.
Give them guns to start a new life as a real killer not a plastic killer they had been accused of.
Pol Pot
All criminals should belong behind bars--not in the streets, that's why we have Prey Sar.
PPU
fuck ppu to hunsen
ppu'sparents should be imprison in prey sar.
Puok Ah Jruok Jruok Lop Cambodian-American'ts.
Puok Ah Jruok Jruok Lop never get it.
PPU
Pouk Ah choy Maray Ah Norouk Aoverchey Kynoum Kanh Chass Youn born by Arch kdor Ah Pret{devil} Ho chi minh is ppu..ppu. pppu mother fucker
3:53 PM
Anger and frustration will only cloud your judgment.
We feel sorry for you.
PPU
To AH PPU, stop being stupid.
Cambodia is run by Khmer Rouge.
Cambodia is run by criminals.
Cambodia is a lawless country.
Cambodia is a corrupted country.
Cambodia is have no real democracy.
To AH PPU,
This is what you said.
"All criminals should belong behind bars--not in the streets, that's why we have Prey Sar. "
This means that AH Hun Sen is a criminal that should belong behind bars, not on the street right?
Under Hun Sen Khmer Rouge Regime, no criminals that has been committed murder and all other crimes within Hun Sen Khmer Rouge's government have ever been brought to justice.
THE MARCH 30, 1997 GRENADE ATTACK IN CAMBODIA
Terrorism in Cambodia.
Killing at least sixteen innocent men, women and children.
Hun Sen's personal Bodyguards Unit (Brigade 70) was the suspects and was order by Hun Sen.
http://www.cambodiapolitic.org/doc_30_march_1997/30_march_97.htm
FBI INVESTIGATION
An FBI investigation concluded that Cambodian government officials were responsible for the attack.
http://www.cambodiapolitic.org/doc_30_march_1997/suspect.htm
U.S. SENATE INVESTIGATION
The U.S. Senate Foreign Committee concluded that Cambodian government officials were responsible for the attack.
http://www.cambodiapolitic.org/doc_30_march_1997/march_30_97_report.pdf
CHEA VICHEA ASSASSINATION
Leader of the Free Trade Union of Cambodia
The Cambodian government attempted to assassinate Chea Vichea and Sam Rainsy on March 30, 1997 Grenade Attack.
http://www.cambodiapolitic.org/Chea%20Vichea%20Photos/index.htm
STATEMENT OF HENG PEOV
Heng Peov hold position as the Police Commissioner of Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
http://ia311543.us.archive.org/1/items/HengPoevStatementofHengPoev/Statement_of_Heng_Peov.pdf
5:04 PM
Fighting without a "cause."
PPU
To AH PPU
Are you a fortune teller?
How do you know that I don't have a cause?
Let me tell you, I do have a cause.
I heard all about the Khmer Rouge Hun Sen government murder innocent Khmer peoples.
My job is to let everyone know that Khmer Rouge Hun Sen government is continue to kill innocent Khmer peoples.
9:33 AM
I don't think you're in position to dictate to me or others, becasue you're simply fighting for something that does not have a "cause." Oh, I don't have to be a soothsay to predict the outcome.
PPU
ah ppu, you sounds like a criminal who have power in Cambodia.
How many innocent Khmer peoples have you killed?
And what kind of position do I have to be to dictate a criminal like you?
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