Radio Free Asia
The brother of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has requested a court official to drop a sexual harassment suit against two of his friends, drawing condemnation from rights groups.
Hun Sen’s older brother Hun San made the request in a letter to Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court Chief Prosecutor Phann Vanrath, a copy of which was seen by RFA. The prosecutor’s office confirmed with RFA that it had received the letter on Friday.
In the letter dated Dec. 3, 2011, Hun San, who is the director of an agency under the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, calls the harassment claim against Cambodian Mine Action Center official Oum Socheat and businessman Thang Pisith “groundless.”
“Please forgive me that I can’t meet you in person,” reads the letter by Hun San, who is the director of the Kampuchea Shipping Agency & Brokers Department.
“I would like to request that you, brother prosecutor, please help intervene and aid Oum Socheat and Thong Pisith to put an end to the Nov. 13, 2011 accusation made by a waitress in a Stung Treng restaurant.”
Hun San questioned the accusation against the two middle-aged men, who allegedly verbally harassed and groped 25-year-old Hy Theavy while she served them, saying they would not have done so with others present at the table.
“As mentioned above, I ask that the prosecutor please intervene and drop the case. I hope that the prosecutor will help in ending the suit.”
Prosecutor Phann Vanrath confirmed to RFA that he had received the letter, but said it would not influence his decision on the case. He added that the court is investigating the matter and expects to issue a ruling in March.
“Both sides have their lawyers. The lawyers have asked for copies of the [victims] lawsuit,” Phann Vanrath said.
“I don’t know who leaked the letter, but we [the court] didn’t leak it. To do so would be against the court confidentiality code of ethics,” he said.
“I don’t bend to outside influence. I would quit my work [if that was a problem],” he said.
Potential influence
Cambodian rights group Adhoc’s Chief Investigator Ny Chakriya said he had also seen the letter, but refused to identify the source of the leak for security reasons.
He added that the letter may have already influenced the court’s decision.
“Based on the prosecutor’s statement in which he claims the letter did not influence him, Adhoc will continue to monitor the case,” he said.
“We will see via the court’s decision whether the judge can act without interference.”
Meanwhile, accuser Hy Theavy stood by her complaint of harassment, adding that if the suspects hadn’t committed any crimes then they would not have had to ask for help from the prime minister’s brother.
“Why did Hun San dare to say that Oum Socheat and Thong Pisith didn’t abuse me and decide to write a letter to the court’s prosecutor to drop my case?” she asked.
Hy Theavy said that she now fears for her personal safety.
“Is Cambodian law truly for both the rich and the poor?”
Reported by Sophalmony Soun for RFA’s Khmer service. Translated by Samean Yun. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
11 comments:
If this man is inocent, why is he rquesting AH Hun Sen's brother for help?
If Ah Hun Sen is not above the law, then he should send his brother to prison for bribery and corruption against the judge
AH CHkae!
leader should set a good example for the nation, not play fraternization, nepotism or favoritism at the expense of cambodia.
maybe it's the culture thing, individuals are not taking the law seriously. they think they can get away by using their relative to undermine the rule of law, etc... do the right thing by discouraging this kind of second-guessing the law!
To all Khmer how much longer do we let this sticking family live on the face of Cambodia?
I just want to say "Thank You" to the person who leaked the information contained in the letter to the public and the media.
Thank you, sir, for the courage and for having chosen to do the right thing in a country where most officials would choose to be on the side of the evils for the sake of money and personal gain.
You have shown yourself to be an official worthy of praise and respect. Hopefully, many other officials in the future would choose to learn from your courageous action and start doing the right thing to protect justice and defend the poor and weak.
Your action has tied up the hands of the prosecutor and prevents him from siding with Hun San's friends.
Even though he has declared his neutrality, he may have done so since he has no choice anyway.
His claim that leaking such an information about Hun San's letter would be against the court confidentiality code of ethics unintentionally reveals the quality of his court's code of ethics which is illogical and serves in this case to allow him to fill his pocket with money from perpetrators if the letter was not leaked out.
Hun San should be arrested for his attempt to interfere with justice and for trying to cover up for his friends.
In the west, the PM who refuses to let the authority punish his broter's illegal action would be forced to resign by the public in no time. I am waiting to see what Samdach Decho will do in this case.
Nothing as usual when it comes to his clan? More likely than not!
Prove me wrong Samdach Decho!
Pissed off
The accused men would pay a handsome money to Hun San if they were free from imprisonment. Money talks in the kingdom of banana.
Hun Sen is not true a Khmer leader, he is a Viet puppet.
Hun Sen is not a true Khmer leader, he is a Viet puppet.
Put all the men involved in prison and give the girl to me. I'll take good care of her.
6:52 PM You are too smart I think if you wife or girl friend find out about this you will be in a big trouble and no one can help you.
6:52 PM. AH CPP Dog, is that what you say to your mum after shes been raped by your CPP friend?
Ah Chkae, use your common sense but dont worry since you like girls so much one day you may meet lots of ladyboys.
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