Former [Funcinpec] governor gets 12 years in jail

Former Oddar Meanchey provincial Governor Lay Vireak

Wednesday, 04 July 2012
Buth Reaksmey Kongkea
The Phnom Penh Post

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday convicted former Oddar Meanchey provincial governor Lay Vireak and ex-Ministry of National Defence deputy commander Khuon Roeun to 12 and 16 years in jail respectively for drug trafficking and illegal weapon possession.

Presiding judge Oeung Seang read their sentence, and that of two accomplices, at a hearing that went unattended by both of the former major generals, and announced that the four guilty persons had the right to appeal if they did not accept the court’s decisions.

Heng Poung, a lawyer for Roeun, promised to take advantage of that right.

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.

CPP: The political party of choice for disappointed royalist comedian?

Comedian Lor Si joined the CPP

Friday, May 22, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Koh Santepheap newspaper reported that Pok Tharet also known as Neay Lor Si, a rather well known comedian in Cambodia, has recently asked to join the CPP. In 2003, Lor Si was also involved in politics when he helped lead the election campaign for the Funcinpec party. After Funcinpec’s division and demise, Lor Si became aimless and he decided to follow Prince Ranariddh to the NRP. However, none of his political activities were successful and Lor Si disappeared from the scene. Recently, Lor Si was authorized to join the CPP with this party leaders’ consent. Lor Si said that he sent in his application to the CPP on 23 April 2009, and Hun Xen agreed to his application of 25 April.