 |
| Samuth Virak, former deputy director of the materials department at the Defence Ministry, is sentenced yesterday. Photo by: Meng Kimlong |
Friday, 04 November 2011
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post
Nearly 11 months after his arrest, General Samith Virak was sentenced to four years in jail by the Military Court on charges of hiding illegal weapons and impersonating a three-star general.
Separate charges of enlisting illegal military personnel and inciting people to oppose authority were dropped last week by deputy prosecutor Mok Sieha.
Samith Virak, the former deputy director of the materials department at the Ministry of Defence, was also fined 8 million riel (or about US$2,000), while four co-defendants received sentences of one to three years.
Judge Nou Samedy told the court that, based on the evidence and strength of the witnesses’ testimony, the quintet was found guilty according to article 20 of the law on the control of explosive weapons as well as article 614 of the penal code.
“[Samith Virak] has the title of a high-ranking military officer in the Royal [Cambodian] Armed Forces, and [possessed] knowledge that should have made him a good example in the army, but his dishonest aims seriously damaged the order and discipline of the military,” Nou Samedy said, adding that he had falsified his rank by displaying the uniform of a three-star general in his home.
The sentencing for the general’s alleged compatriots included a 3-year jail term and 6 million riel fine for Poeuy Pel, two years and a 4 million riel fine for Chao Sokhon, and one-year sentences for Chea Tol and Im Chhay.
The verdict also stripped Samith Virak, Poeuy Pel, Chao Sokhon and Chea Tol of their military rank.
Nach Try, lawyer for Samith Virak, could not be reached for comment yesterday, but Virak’s wife, Bou Chhouk Vuth, said she will appeal the verdict, claiming the accusation against her husband is without real evidence.
“The accuser who accused us is a person who has conflict [with us]. It is not just for my husband,” she said. “I want [the court] to convict the accuser, because the person who accused us had stolen our tractor, so he has rancour.”
At last week’s hearing, witnesses Khun Tam and Sing Samuth accused Samith Virak of hiding and transporting illegal weapons and enlisting illegal soldiers.
However, both allegations were denied by the general, who told the court that the men accused him because they bore grudges.
Virak claimed that Khun Tam had stolen his tractor and been imprisoned by Siem Reap provincial court.
4 comments:
Land of wonder laws!!!!!!
He didn't have enough money to buy the third star... 1 star $50K, each additional stars, 30K.
Ah coward Decho Hun Sen, Mr Sam Rainsy asks you to sue him at France court about you murdered Khmer people. Why don't you dare to do it as you have done at Cambodia court?
Being a strong man as well as Prime Minister of one country, you should not be coward to face the real justice at France court or International court. Unless, you are the real murderer in Cambodia that is the reason why you fear of Mr Sam Rainsy at real and fair justice court.
Decho Hun Sen rubbed Cambodian people well being, health care, dignity and sell Cambodia out to Vietnam in cheap price as long as he can stay in power. Isn't true Samdach Decho Hun Sen?
How many Cambodian people lives have you killed in your life so far? Can you being honest telling the true?
As one Prime Minister of one country his job is bully his own people from talking about Paris Peace agreement 1991 and Vietnam take Cambodia area. Why?
Samdach Decho Hun Sen Why does you so scare of the truth? Why do you so scare of Mr Sam Rainsy when he asks you to sue him at France court? You are strong man as you claim in TV screen.
Samdach Decho Hun Sen shouldn't scare of Mr Sam Rainsy because Mr Sam Rainsy has no weapon mass destruction as you do. You are the murderer; you must be strong in facing with Mr Sam Rainsy at France court as Mr Sam Rainsy invited you to do so.
Samdach Decho billion dollars Hun Sen, PLease face Mr Sam Rainsy as Mr Sam Rainsy invited you through the world media. You used to win on Mr Sam Rainsy many times in Cambodia court of justice. There is no reason why you should be worry about...if you have never killed anyone in Cambodia. Isn’t it Decho Sen?
Cambodian people hope to see Samdach Decho Hun Sen will has gut as a leader or a man to sue Mr Sam Rainsy at France court as Mr Sam Rainsy invited Samdach decho many times through Radio and world media.
Be a man Decho Sen! One in your life be a man Decho Sen! Be a man to face Mr Sam Rainsy at France court and international court.
We are personal bodyguards of Samdach Decho would like to see Decho Hun Sen be a man with Mr Sam Rainsy at France Court. Otherwise, Samdach Decho is not worthy to protect because why do we have to die for protecting a traitor, a murderer, a blood sucker. Isn’t it true Samdach Decho Hun Sen? Do you agree with that?
sounds to me like conduct unbecoming an officer! don't they train the military on the ethical code of conduct, etc? he should be demoted to a private for his conduct unbecoming an officer, you know!
Post a Comment