Murder of trade unionist Ros Sovannareth: Cambodian justice backtracking?

19-02-2009
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set

For the second time, the Court of Appeal of Cambodia decided on Wednesday February 18th to uphold the sentenced issued by the Municipal Court in 2005 against Thach Saveth for the premeditated murder of trade unionist Ros Sovannareth. He had been condemned to 15 years in prison following a very criticised trial. A leading member of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), Ros Sovannareth was shot by two unidentified men on a motorbike on May 7th 2004 in Phnom Penh.

Discordant confessions
Judge Oum Sarith argued that the confessions made by Thach Saveth, a 27-year-old former member of Unit 911 of the paratrooper brigade, on February 15th 2005 before the Municipal Court of Phnom Penh, and on February 11th 2009 before the Appeal Court, did not corroborate each other, hence his decision to confirm the charge. This was the only argument offered by the Court to explain its verdict.

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Justice in Cambodia: will an exact copy of the Chea Vichea case end with the same outcome?

Phnom Penh (Cambodia). 11/02/2009: Chan Sopheak, also known as Thach Saveth, changing back to prison uniform, in the van that will take him back to prison. (Photo: John Vink / Magnum)

11-02-2009
By Duong Sokha
Ka-set

On December 31st 2008, Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun were released – on bail for now – after spending almost five years behind bars for the murder of Chea Vichea, president of the Free Trade Union of Workers of the Kingdom of Cambodia (FTUWKC), at the end of a process marred by irregularities. The case of Thach Saveth, who was arrested for the killing of another member of the FTUWKC steering committee, Ros Sovannareth, presents striking similarities with that of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun. He appeared on Wednesday February 11th before the Court of Appeal, who will only issue its verdict on February 18th. Once again, civil society calls for the case to be dismissed and denounces the inconsistency of the evidence against the 27-year-old paratrooper.

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Unionist's killer gets appeal hearing

Wednesday, 11 February 2009
Written by Chrann Chamroeun
The Phnom Penh Post

Thach Saveth, found guilty in 2005, likely to attend court today

The Court of Appeal is expected to hear today the case of Thach Saveth, who was convicted for the 2004 murder of key unionist Ros Sovannareth, in what rights groups say was a frame-up reminiscent of the slaying of labour leader Chea Vichea.

Ros Sovannareth, who was union president at the Trinunggal Komara garment factory, was gunned down by two assailants while driving his motorcycle on Kampuchea Krom Boulevard on May 7, 2004.

Thach Saveth was arrested on July 24, 2004, in connection with the killing and was sentenced to 15 years in prison after a trial in Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Thach Saveth's slaying closely followed the murder of Chea Vichea during a turbulent time for Cambodia's labour unions. A third labour leader, Hy Vuthy, was gunned down in 2007 amid ongoing attacks against union members.

The Court of Appeal held a hearing in 2008 at which it upheld the conviction of Thach Saveth, said Am Sam Ath, technical supervisor for the rights group Licadho. But he said witnesses, victims and Thach Saveth himself had been barred from attending the hearing, which led to the push for a new appeal.

Sam Chamroeun, Thach Saveth's lawyer, said he had spoken with prison officials and was "80 percent" certain the suspect would be allowed to attend today's hearing.

Am Sam Ath told the Post Tuesday that Thach Saveth continues to maintain his innocence. In several interviews, he said, the suspect has never changed his story.

"He told me that he was arrested and interrogated in Tuol Kork district for drug use only," he said.

Am Sath Ath said these interviews had led him to conclude that Thach Saveth is not the real killer.