Hok Lundy's funeral procession left his home on Saturday morning, his body will be buried in Bavet commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province. (Photo: Everyday.com.kh)
Showing posts with label Hok Lundy's funeral. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hok Lundy's funeral. Show all posts
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Goodbye Mr. Hok Lundy, we are certain that a lot of company is anxiously waiting for you wherever you go
Hok Lundy's funeral procession left his home on Saturday morning, his body will be buried in Bavet commune, Chantrea district, Svay Rieng province. (Photo: Everyday.com.kh)
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
The CPP mourns one of its top human rights abusers
Hok Lundy was a powerful official in the Cambodian People's Party who weathered myriad claims of human rights abuses.By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
10 November 2008
Hundreds of Cambodia's top officials, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, attended a wake for Hok Lundy Monday morning, following a deadly helicopter crash that is under investigation.
Hok Lundy, a close associate of Hun Sen and the nation's top police official, died when his helicopter crashed in Rumduol district, Svay Rieng province, late Sunday night.
Maligned by critics as a brutal police commander high among the ranks of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, Hok Lundy had been accused by rights groups of serious violations, including murder and torture, and in 2006 was denied US entry on suspicion of involvement of human trafficking. He rejected all charges made against him.
His lieutenant, police Lt. Gen. Neth Savoun, was named acting national police chief Monday.
A separate ceremony for Lt. Gen. Sok Sa Em, deputy commander of RCAF infantry, and two pilots, Tep Setha, 44, and Horn Ratha, 46, was held at Wat Lanka.
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the death of Gen. Hok Lundy," said Lt. Gen. Sok Phal, deputy national police chief. "We've lost a high-ranking official in the government…. Right now we've sent a team of investigators to the crash site."
He declined to speculate on the cause of the crash. Aviation officials have said poor weather was likely a factor.
Hok Lundy's personal driver for more than 20 years, Chan Pov, told VOA Khmer Monday that before the helicopter crash the general had dined with businessmen Kith Meng and Meng Sreang in Phnom Penh.
Chan Pov said his boss decided to visit Svay Rieng "at the last minute," for undisclosed reasons. Chan Pov drove Hok Lundy to the military airbase adjacent to Phnom Penh International Airport, where he watched him board a Sokha Airlines helicopter.
Prior to takeoff, the pilots looked to the sky, where stars were visible, and said a flight to Svay Rieng would be no problem, Chan Pov said. Fifteen minutes after the helicopter took off, the driver received a call from Sokha Airlines's office warning of heavy rain over Svay Rieng. By then, Hok Lundy could not be reached by phone, Chan Pov said.
The driver was later able to reach one of the pilots, who told him they would arrive in Svay Rieng "in seven minutes." Five minutes later, around 7:40 pm, he could not reach the pilots either. Five minutes after that, Phnom Penh International's tower reported the helicopter had crashed.
Svay Rieng Governor Cheang Am said witnesses around the crash site reported hearing "roaring from the engine" over Doung Sar village, in Rumduol district. The helicopter crashed 15 kilometers outside the village.
Witnesses told the governor the helicopter glanced off a small hillside, as flames burned from its tail, before it crashed. Hok Lundy's body was found 5 meters from the wreckage, Cheang Am said.
Hok Lundy, who was born in 1950 in the same district where he died, rose to power through the 1980s and became a central committee member of the CPP in 1997, following his promotion to national police chief in 1994.
Human Rights Watch accused him of collaboration in the deadly 1997 grenade attack on opposition protesters, extrajudicial killings in the 1997 CPP putsch and the trafficking of drugs and prostitutes. He was awarded a medal by the FBI for counterterrorism in 2006 and visited top Bureau officials in Washington in 2007.
On Monday afternoon Hun Sen, who has so far withheld public comment on Hok Lundy's death, set a wreath of flowers next to general's body, which was lying in state, covered by a red cloth, on the floor of his Phnom Penh villa.
Hok Lundy is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, including Hok Chindavy, who is married to Hun Sen's son, Hun Manit. Hok Lundy will be buried on Saturday in his hometown.
Hok Lundy, a close associate of Hun Sen and the nation's top police official, died when his helicopter crashed in Rumduol district, Svay Rieng province, late Sunday night.
Maligned by critics as a brutal police commander high among the ranks of the ruling Cambodian People's Party, Hok Lundy had been accused by rights groups of serious violations, including murder and torture, and in 2006 was denied US entry on suspicion of involvement of human trafficking. He rejected all charges made against him.
His lieutenant, police Lt. Gen. Neth Savoun, was named acting national police chief Monday.
A separate ceremony for Lt. Gen. Sok Sa Em, deputy commander of RCAF infantry, and two pilots, Tep Setha, 44, and Horn Ratha, 46, was held at Wat Lanka.
"I would like to express my deepest sympathy for the death of Gen. Hok Lundy," said Lt. Gen. Sok Phal, deputy national police chief. "We've lost a high-ranking official in the government…. Right now we've sent a team of investigators to the crash site."
He declined to speculate on the cause of the crash. Aviation officials have said poor weather was likely a factor.
Hok Lundy's personal driver for more than 20 years, Chan Pov, told VOA Khmer Monday that before the helicopter crash the general had dined with businessmen Kith Meng and Meng Sreang in Phnom Penh.
Chan Pov said his boss decided to visit Svay Rieng "at the last minute," for undisclosed reasons. Chan Pov drove Hok Lundy to the military airbase adjacent to Phnom Penh International Airport, where he watched him board a Sokha Airlines helicopter.
Prior to takeoff, the pilots looked to the sky, where stars were visible, and said a flight to Svay Rieng would be no problem, Chan Pov said. Fifteen minutes after the helicopter took off, the driver received a call from Sokha Airlines's office warning of heavy rain over Svay Rieng. By then, Hok Lundy could not be reached by phone, Chan Pov said.
The driver was later able to reach one of the pilots, who told him they would arrive in Svay Rieng "in seven minutes." Five minutes later, around 7:40 pm, he could not reach the pilots either. Five minutes after that, Phnom Penh International's tower reported the helicopter had crashed.
Svay Rieng Governor Cheang Am said witnesses around the crash site reported hearing "roaring from the engine" over Doung Sar village, in Rumduol district. The helicopter crashed 15 kilometers outside the village.
Witnesses told the governor the helicopter glanced off a small hillside, as flames burned from its tail, before it crashed. Hok Lundy's body was found 5 meters from the wreckage, Cheang Am said.
Hok Lundy, who was born in 1950 in the same district where he died, rose to power through the 1980s and became a central committee member of the CPP in 1997, following his promotion to national police chief in 1994.
Human Rights Watch accused him of collaboration in the deadly 1997 grenade attack on opposition protesters, extrajudicial killings in the 1997 CPP putsch and the trafficking of drugs and prostitutes. He was awarded a medal by the FBI for counterterrorism in 2006 and visited top Bureau officials in Washington in 2007.
On Monday afternoon Hun Sen, who has so far withheld public comment on Hok Lundy's death, set a wreath of flowers next to general's body, which was lying in state, covered by a red cloth, on the floor of his Phnom Penh villa.
Hok Lundy is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters, including Hok Chindavy, who is married to Hun Sen's son, Hun Manit. Hok Lundy will be buried on Saturday in his hometown.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Cambodia launches investigation of police chief's helicopter crash
Nov 10, 2008
DPA
DPA
Phnom Penh - The Cambodian government on Monday launched an investigation into a helicopter crash that killed the country's controversial chief of police and three others on Sunday night.
Hok Lundy, a close ally of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, died along with deputy army commander Sok Sa Em and two pilots when their helicopter crashed en route to the police chief's home province of Svay Rieng near the Vietnamese border.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said an investigation into the incident had begun but declined to provide any further details.
'We are unable to provide specific details until the investigation is completed,' he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
National media reported Hok Lundy's funeral was held under tight security at his Phnom Penh home on Monday.
The police chief's remains would be sent to Svay Rieng but a date for the burial had not been set, the French and Khmer language newspaper Cambodge Soir reported.
Hok Lundy was appointed as Cambodia's chief of police in 1994.
One of his daughters is married to one of Hun Sen's sons. In 2006 the police chief was denied a visa to enter the United States amid allegations of involvement in human trafficking.
Hok Lundy, a close ally of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, died along with deputy army commander Sok Sa Em and two pilots when their helicopter crashed en route to the police chief's home province of Svay Rieng near the Vietnamese border.
Government spokesman Khieu Kanharith said an investigation into the incident had begun but declined to provide any further details.
'We are unable to provide specific details until the investigation is completed,' he told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa.
National media reported Hok Lundy's funeral was held under tight security at his Phnom Penh home on Monday.
The police chief's remains would be sent to Svay Rieng but a date for the burial had not been set, the French and Khmer language newspaper Cambodge Soir reported.
Hok Lundy was appointed as Cambodia's chief of police in 1994.
One of his daughters is married to one of Hun Sen's sons. In 2006 the police chief was denied a visa to enter the United States amid allegations of involvement in human trafficking.
Cambodian government mourns police chief's death [-Hun Sen's nephew-in-law will serve as acting top cop]
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Cambodia's government began preparations Monday for the funeral of the country's controversial national police chief, a close ally of Prime Minister Hun Sen who was killed in a helicopter crash.
Police Commissioner-General Hok Lundy, 51, died Sunday night when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed in Svay Rieng province in southeastern Cambodia, apparently because of bad weather.
Hok Lundy had a reputation for ruthlessness as well as loyalty to Hun Sen, whose son, Hun Manit, is married to the late police chief's daughter, Hok Chendavy.
"His death was a great national loss and a profound sorrow for the police force," said police Lt. Gen. Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, which oversees the police force.
The pilot, co-pilot and a deputy commander of the Cambodian army were also killed in the crash, Khieu Sopheak said.
Last year, the New York-based group Human Rights Watch urged the U.S. government to cancel a visa issued to Hok Lundy to attend an FBI-sponsored conference on human trafficking, accusing him of having ordered an extrajudicial killing and involvement in drug smuggling and human trafficking. He attended the conference and was urged by State Department officials to make greater efforts to punish public officials, including police, involved in trafficking.
The U.S. had denied Hok Lundy a visa in early 2006 for reasons never made public.
Cambodian government officials dismissed the Human Rights Watch allegations as nonsense.
Khieu Sopheak said the Interior Ministry has set up a committee to organize a traditional Buddhist funeral for Hok Lundy.
Police Lt. Gen. Neth Savoeun - who is married to a niece of Hun Sen - will serve as acting commissioner-general of police, he said.
Hok Lundy's helicopter took off from the capital, Phnom Penh, at 7:20 p.m. on Sunday and lost contact with air controllers about 15 minutes later, Khieu Sopheak said. He said there was a "99 percent" chance that bad weather was responsible for the crash since it was raining at the time.
Mao Havannal, head of the Secretariat for Civil Aviation, said he sent investigators to the crash site but the cause had not yet been determined.
Police Commissioner-General Hok Lundy, 51, died Sunday night when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed in Svay Rieng province in southeastern Cambodia, apparently because of bad weather.
Hok Lundy had a reputation for ruthlessness as well as loyalty to Hun Sen, whose son, Hun Manit, is married to the late police chief's daughter, Hok Chendavy.
"His death was a great national loss and a profound sorrow for the police force," said police Lt. Gen. Khieu Sopheak, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, which oversees the police force.
The pilot, co-pilot and a deputy commander of the Cambodian army were also killed in the crash, Khieu Sopheak said.
Last year, the New York-based group Human Rights Watch urged the U.S. government to cancel a visa issued to Hok Lundy to attend an FBI-sponsored conference on human trafficking, accusing him of having ordered an extrajudicial killing and involvement in drug smuggling and human trafficking. He attended the conference and was urged by State Department officials to make greater efforts to punish public officials, including police, involved in trafficking.
The U.S. had denied Hok Lundy a visa in early 2006 for reasons never made public.
Cambodian government officials dismissed the Human Rights Watch allegations as nonsense.
Khieu Sopheak said the Interior Ministry has set up a committee to organize a traditional Buddhist funeral for Hok Lundy.
Police Lt. Gen. Neth Savoeun - who is married to a niece of Hun Sen - will serve as acting commissioner-general of police, he said.
Hok Lundy's helicopter took off from the capital, Phnom Penh, at 7:20 p.m. on Sunday and lost contact with air controllers about 15 minutes later, Khieu Sopheak said. He said there was a "99 percent" chance that bad weather was responsible for the crash since it was raining at the time.
Mao Havannal, head of the Secretariat for Civil Aviation, said he sent investigators to the crash site but the cause had not yet been determined.
In Phnom Penh, Hok Lundy’s funeral held under tight surveillance
Hok Lundy's funeral (Photo: Pring Samrang, Cambodge Soir Hebdo)10 Nov 2008
By Pen Bona
Cambodge Soir Hebdo
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the article in French
Hok Lundy’s funeral was held on Monday 10 November in his house in Phnom Penh, located near the ministry of National Defense. An important security force was deployed for the occasion.
Several high ranking government officials as well as numerous police officers participated in this religious ceremony. General Sok Phal, the deputy national police commissioner, told reporters that Hok Lundy’s remain will be sent back to Bavet, Svay Rieng, for burial. “The burial date is not set yet. His family would consult a Chinese astrologer to choose the date,” said the No. 2 top cop. According to Sok Phal, the funeral procession will be held in great pomp in respect of Hok Lundy’s high rank.
Cambodia top cop found his demise in the evening of 09 November during a helicopter crash. The accident occurred at about 8PM, in the southeast of the kingdom, at about 80 km from Phnom Penh. Three other passengers, including General Sok Saem, deputy RAFC commander, and two pilots also died in the accident. The top cop left Phnom Penh at 7PM to travel to Svay Rieng, his birth province. “He had a special mission to accomplish in this province,” Sok Phal said while adding that Hok Lundy’s body was found lying about 5-meter away from the helicopter. He did not seem to have any injuries. The helicopter belonged to Sokha Helicopters, a private company owned by Sokimex which recently invested in 9 new helicopters including 2 Ecureuils (French Squirrel type helicopter) built by Eurocopter and a Robinson R44.
Although the cause of the accident is still unknown, heavy rain in the region during the accident could be the origin.
Nevertheless, an anonymous source who was present on the spot of the accident, indicated that the helicopter landed normally, but that it exploded once it touched the ground. This information still needs to be confirmed.
According to Khieu Kanharith, minister of Information and government spokesman, who was reached by Cambodge Soir Hebdo, experts were immediately dispatched to the spot to investigate the cause of the accident. “We are waiting for the official report from these experts in order to come up with the preliminary findings,” Sok Phal indicated.
Several high ranking government officials as well as numerous police officers participated in this religious ceremony. General Sok Phal, the deputy national police commissioner, told reporters that Hok Lundy’s remain will be sent back to Bavet, Svay Rieng, for burial. “The burial date is not set yet. His family would consult a Chinese astrologer to choose the date,” said the No. 2 top cop. According to Sok Phal, the funeral procession will be held in great pomp in respect of Hok Lundy’s high rank.
Cambodia top cop found his demise in the evening of 09 November during a helicopter crash. The accident occurred at about 8PM, in the southeast of the kingdom, at about 80 km from Phnom Penh. Three other passengers, including General Sok Saem, deputy RAFC commander, and two pilots also died in the accident. The top cop left Phnom Penh at 7PM to travel to Svay Rieng, his birth province. “He had a special mission to accomplish in this province,” Sok Phal said while adding that Hok Lundy’s body was found lying about 5-meter away from the helicopter. He did not seem to have any injuries. The helicopter belonged to Sokha Helicopters, a private company owned by Sokimex which recently invested in 9 new helicopters including 2 Ecureuils (French Squirrel type helicopter) built by Eurocopter and a Robinson R44.
Although the cause of the accident is still unknown, heavy rain in the region during the accident could be the origin.
Nevertheless, an anonymous source who was present on the spot of the accident, indicated that the helicopter landed normally, but that it exploded once it touched the ground. This information still needs to be confirmed.
According to Khieu Kanharith, minister of Information and government spokesman, who was reached by Cambodge Soir Hebdo, experts were immediately dispatched to the spot to investigate the cause of the accident. “We are waiting for the official report from these experts in order to come up with the preliminary findings,” Sok Phal indicated.
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