SRP officials pay a visit to 2 Cambodian villagers in Svay Rieng jail

Cops check authorization from the SRP MPs in front of the Svay Rieng jail (All photos: Sok Serey, RFA)

Several cops can be seen standing guard outside the jail

19 January 2010
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Svay Rieng province jail guards allowed 3 SRP MPs to visit Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prom Chea who are currently jailed. The visit authorization was officially approved on Monday afternoon.

3 SRP MPs: Yim Sovann, Mrs. Saumura Tioulong and Mrs. Ke Sovannaroth, were thoroughly check and patted [before they were allowed in the jail], and several dozens of armed cops were stationed outside the jail.

Mrs. Chhoeung Sarin, Prum Chea’s wife, and Meas Pril, the older brother of Mrs. Meas Srey were allowed in to visit along with the 3 SRP MPs.

Keo Saveoun, the jail warden told the visitors: “You are not allowed to take in voice recorders, cameras and phones. Your Excellencies can leave them with us, or you can leave them in your car and lock the car. Furthermore, during the visit, Your Excellencies should cooperate about security with us, and you should not do anything that is beyond the visit. Would Your Excellencies allow me to check you?”

SRP MP Yim Sovann, who is also the SRP spokesman, indicated at the exit of jail that: “Mr. Prum Chea’s health is not very good. But his spirit is still strong, and he called on the government – the accuser in his lawsuit case – to help resolve his case and release him from jail. He only wants to get his land back.”

Mrs. Chhoeung Sarin, Prum Chea’s wife, said outside the jail: “His health is getting weaker and he lost weight. His feet hurt and he has urinary illness also.”

Sok Serey: Sister, what did you tell him?

Mrs. Chhoeung Sarin: I told him not to worry…

Meas Pril, Mrs. Meas Srey’s older brother, indicated: “She is not well. I am asking the government to help release my sister.”

This is the first visit by the SRP MPs, and it is taking place at a time when the Svay Rieng court plans to hold a hearing on 27 Januray to decide the case of Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prum Chea. The hearing will be held for Sam Rainsy’s case at the same time also.

The Svay Rieng court detained Mrs. Meas Srey and Mr. Prum Chea on 23 December 2009. They were charged with destruction of public properties because they joined the stakes uprooting event along border post No. 185 that took place on 25 October in Koh Kban Kandal village, Samrong commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province. Sam Rainsy was also implicated in this lawsuit.