Prince denies acquaintances with alleged gang members arrested by police

Prince Charachak (seen in black polo shirt) was displayed by the police during a press conference (Photo: Bun Nak, Koh Santepheap newspaper)

Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

On Tuesday, 7 Makara district police put on display a group of youngsters – among whom was a prince – the group is charged with illegal use of weapons (swords), and was arrested on Monday afternoon. In the group of 9 suspects on display, one of them is Prince Norodom Charachak, the son of Prince Norodom Chakrapong, NRP party vice-president. Major Yim Simony, the 7 Makara police inspector said that the police will build a case for the 9 arrested – 8 males and 1 female – and will send them to Phnom Penh municipal court for illegal use of weapons (sword), and for assembly of gang members (Bang Thom and Bang Tauch). Prince Charachak who also works as a bodyguard at the Ministry of Interior, said that he is not involved with the young hoodlums and the swords, because he does not know where they came from when they were arrested by the police while the group was sleeping in a rented home in Boeng Prolit.

Prince Chakrapong’s son arrested by police

Police displays the 5 samurai swords confiscated. The arrested suspects can be seen in the background (Photo: Bun Nak, Koh Santepheap newspaper)

Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Prince Norodom Charachak, the son of Prince Norodom Chakrapong, was arrested by the police, along with 8 other suspects when the police raided a rented house. The arrest was conducted on Monday afternoon at a rented house located in Boeng Prolit, Pram Pi Makara district. The police said that among the 9 arrested, was 22-year-old Prince Charachak, also known as Dy Dy, who is the son of Prince Norodom Chakrapong. The police said that the suspects are involved in robberies committed in the past three months, and after escaping police, they would come to hide in this rented house. During the raid, the police confiscated 5 samurai swords. Prince Chakrapong cannot be contacted yet about this arrest. Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, declined to comment on the case as this arrest is a personal matter. Prince Sisowath Thomico said that he did not know about the arrest of Prince Charachak, but he said that this may not be political issue because Dy Dy never involves himself with any political parties, but that Dy Dy likes to make friends with children of high-ranking CPP officials.