Ex-officials’ drug trial postponed [-Lay Virak's case should be a lesson for Nhiek Bun Chhay?]

Lay Virak during his arrest

Wednesday, 30 May 2012
Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
The Phnom Penh Post

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday postponed the trial of former Oddar Meanchey governor Lay Virak and former general Khuon Roeun, both of whom were arrested for drug trafficking and illegal weapon use last October.

“The trial of former general Lay Virak and general Khuon Roeun was postponed to next month without a fixed date because all three judges who held this case have been busy,” said court vice president Oeung Seang, who declined to provide further details.

According to anti-drug official Khieu Saman, Lay Virak, 57, and Khuon Roeun, 60, were arrested in Phnom Penh last October with two loaded guns, an unidentified ancient artefact and nearly a kilogram of methamphetamine.

Two other men – Chheang Chhunly, 27, and Sour Seila, 29 – were also arrested.

Heng Poung, defence lawyer for Khuon Roeun, maintained his client was uninvolved.

“He was just arrested on the basis of the answers of Lay Virak and the other two suspects,” he said.