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| Last year Pursat provincial court sentenced Top Chan Sereivuth to 19 years in jail on charges of corruption, extortion, and false imprisonment. |
Wednesday, 22 February 2012
Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer | Phnom Penh
"I merely request the court give me justice and fully consider testimonies by both the witnesses and victims.”
Former court prosecutor Top Chan Sereyvuth on Wednesday maintained his innocence in a high-profile corruption case during an appeal court hearing.
Last year, the Pursat provincial court sentenced Top Chan Sereyvuth to 19 years in jail on charges of corruption, extortion, and false imprisonment. But he denied the charges and appealed the verdict.
During Wednesday’s hearing, reporters were not allowed to take notes but the court allowed a photographer from the anti-corruption unit to photograph and document the hearing.
Judge Pol Sam Oeun heard the case in the appeal court and said the verdict will be announced March 14.
Top Chan Sereyvuth was found last year by the court to have extorted about $3,000 from two men who were caught smuggling wood in June 2011.
The former prosecutor told the appeal court that he was not involved in the bribery. He denied having been at the scene when the arrest took place or having accepted money.
"I merely request the court give me justice and fully consider testimonies by both the witnesses and victims,” he said, “[to determine] whether I have committed something wrong or not."
The court also sentenced the former prosecutor’s two drivers—Chhit Vuthy and Ros Samnang—on the same charges to 16 years and 15 years, respectively.
Provincial court further issued an arrest warrant for Pich Kong Yu, brother-in-law of Top Chan Sereyvuth, who has fled the country since 2011.
Defense lawyer Kea Chhay said that he hoped the appeal court will bring his client justice.
"If he issued the order, it is not a crime because he did so in his capacity as a prosecutor."
Kheang Seng, deputy chief of anti-corruption unit declined to comment, saying that the court has followed all due process.
6 comments:
Not pro or contra to the person, but the corruption team should clear well the case before sending this man for 16 years into the prison.
Corruption is everywhere in Cambodia, and every government official is corrupted. Put them all in Jail, from the top to the bottom. Especially, ah kwak and his family. Ah kanchas sihanouk and his communist family. Otherwise, there won't be any peace in the country.
dead all the family of ah xihanouk and ah kwak hun xen
by all means, do discourage all kind of corruption practice in cambodia. we want cambodia to change for the better, you know. don't be so pessimistic or cynical or skeptical all the time, ok! have confidence and trust for cambodia, too, ok! everyone can use education there, you know.
Oposition party doesn't want Cambodia to change. I agree. But they don't care what change to whatever it is as long as they can become in power. They are not happy when see the current gorvenment are in the right direction. I am very sad to see all these kind of comments posted even though what the current government is doing right.
sorry, mistyping. deosn't want = want!
3:17 PM,
Your comment is laughable! How dumb and useless! Who paid you to write nonsense paragraphs. You are brainwashed by corrupted CPP officials. You remind us that you are the same Dr. Teurk Thnaot Jou or Dr. Hennesse. How funny, Dr. See Arch!
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