KCF chairman’s conviction upheld in Municipal Court

Moeung Sonn

Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post

Phnom Penh Municipal Court upheld its verdict against Khmer Civilisation Foundation (KCF) chairman Moeung Sonn on Tuesday, ordering the absent defendant to serve two years in jail and pay a fine of 15 million riels (US$3,598).

In a retrial of a case originally decided on July 14, deputy prosecutor Ek Chheng Huot and government lawyer Pal Chandara argued that Moeung Sonn, currently living in France to avoid imprisonment, was guilty of disinformation for comments he made at a press conference in May that a light installation at Angkor Wat would damage the 11th-century temple. The KCF chairman subsequently appealed the decision.

“The accused has filed a complaint contesting the original verdict, but he does not have the confidence to show up here today, so I would like the court to uphold its decision,” Ek Chheng Huot said.

Sam Sokong, Moeung Sonn’s lawyer, told the court that his client had not engaged in disinformation, but had merely voiced valid concerns also aired elsewhere.

“He just said that the company [that installed the lights] did not perform its work properly. My client’s comments were not disinformation, and he had no intention to degrade the government’s reputation,” Sam Sokong said.

Sam Sokong added that he planned to lodge an appeal on Moeung Sonn’s behalf, and that Moeung Sonn would write new letters of apology to the government in hopes of securing an acquittal. Moeung Sonn had previously written a letter of apology to deputy Prime Minister Sok An, head of the Apsara Authority.

Pal Chandara said that Moeung Sonn’s comments were tantamount to incitement and defended the need for government action in the case.

“Moeung Sonn is not the only one who loves Angkor. We all love Angkor together,” Pal Chandara said. “Moeung Sonn’s allegations caused a strong reaction from the people, so if the government had not intervened on time, unrest would have occurred.”

Judge Chhay Kong said the hearing had done little to change his opinion from July’s decision, and reaffirmed the original prison term and fine levied in the case.

Speaking by phone from France, Moeung Sonn said there was no chance for him to receive a fair trial because he could not attend the hearing without fear of being arrested upon arrival in Cambodia.

“I did not attend because I was afraid of being arrested, but I do not have the intention to harm the government’s reputation,” he said.

Cambodia is still waiting for an answer from Thailand for compensation

A village tried to salvage his belongings in the rubble of the burnt market.

Source: Radio Free Asia
Reported in English by Khmerization

Cambodian officials said that Cambodia is still waiting for an answer from Thailand in regard to a $2.1 million compensation it had lodged 0n 11th May against Thailand for the destruction of 264 stalls during the fighting on 3rd April, reports Radio Free Asia.

Mr. Koy Kuong, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Cambodia wants to give Thailand time to think over the compensation claim, but he did not specify how long Cambodia can wait. He said: "Because we want to give them more time to think over among the Thai leadership first."

According to media reports, Thailand had already verbally rejected the compensation claim by stating that those stalls and market were built inside Thai territory.

But Mr. Var Kimhong, chairman of Cambodian Border Committee, claimed that those stalls were built inside Khmer territory. He said: "It is not very difficult to understand. The Thais claimed that the territory is theirs, but they have to show ownership documents to prove that that territory is theirs."

Mr. Rong Chhun, president of the Cambodian Independent Teachers Association, said that Cambodia's stance regarding border disputes with Thailand is very weak. He said: "(Our government's) stance is very, very weak. (The government) is very scared of Thailand."
Mr. Moeung Son, chairman of the Khmer Civilisation Foundation who lodged the same compensation claim on behalf on victims a few weeks before the government's claim, said that he will send another letter to the Thai embassy very soon to request for the payment of the compensation. He said if the Thai government refuses to pay, he will take the matter to the international stage or to the UN for help.

He said: "if they did not respond to our request one week before 7th July, the date of our anniversary celebration, we will absolutely make a complaint to the UN."

Cambodia claimed that during the armed clashes on 3rd April, Thai troops deliberately shelled the market and a village located near Preah Vihear temple, destroying 264 stalls and made 319 families homeless.