Heng Pov, fugitive former Phnom Penh police chief (Photo: RFA)By San Sovith
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy
Local newspapers have reported on the assassination of judge Sok Sethamony, the former investigation judge of the municipal court of Phnom Penh, which took place in 2003. Heng Pov, the former Phnom Penh police chief who is suspected of ordering a group of assassins in the killing, will be judged on 18 Sept.
The [pro-CPP] Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper recalled that at the beginning of February 2006, police officers belonging to the ministry of Interior and military police officers have arrested 4 former police officers belonging to the light criminal justice department, and accused the four of killing judge Sok Sethamony three years earlier.
The four law officers arrested are: Hang Vuthy called Yomareach (Devil), Hang Vutha – younger brother of Hang Vuthy, Kong Sophal aka Um Samkheng, and Prom Sophearith.
After questioning of the four arrested suspects, the court claimed that Ly Rasy, the first deputy director of the light criminal justice department, and Heng Pov, the former Phnom Penh police chief, are also involved in the assassination.
Rasmei Kampuchea also said that the courts had sent the case for investigation and to bring charges. It is now opening the trial phase starting 18 Sept. Nach Try will be the defending lawyer for judge Sok Sethamony’s wife. The roster of witnesses will include a number of high ranking government officers from the current administration.
RFA has just received a claim from David Chen, the lawyer defending Heng Pov, saying that Heng Pov is hiding in Malaysia and his search for political asylum in a third country is not successful yet.
The [pro-CPP] Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper recalled that at the beginning of February 2006, police officers belonging to the ministry of Interior and military police officers have arrested 4 former police officers belonging to the light criminal justice department, and accused the four of killing judge Sok Sethamony three years earlier.
The four law officers arrested are: Hang Vuthy called Yomareach (Devil), Hang Vutha – younger brother of Hang Vuthy, Kong Sophal aka Um Samkheng, and Prom Sophearith.
After questioning of the four arrested suspects, the court claimed that Ly Rasy, the first deputy director of the light criminal justice department, and Heng Pov, the former Phnom Penh police chief, are also involved in the assassination.
Rasmei Kampuchea also said that the courts had sent the case for investigation and to bring charges. It is now opening the trial phase starting 18 Sept. Nach Try will be the defending lawyer for judge Sok Sethamony’s wife. The roster of witnesses will include a number of high ranking government officers from the current administration.
RFA has just received a claim from David Chen, the lawyer defending Heng Pov, saying that Heng Pov is hiding in Malaysia and his search for political asylum in a third country is not successful yet.
2 comments:
Please arrest Ho Sok assassins and leader as well. He lives in Ta Khmau.
It's just great isn't now they are going to try him in absentia. What a farsical attempt it is. It shows that Hun Sen is desperate. I know exactly what is going to happen at the trial. Heng Pov will be found guilty for the alleged crime and perhaps sentenced to death The evidence on which they would base their verdict would be the torture evidence obtained by Ly Rasy. You will recall the complaint by Ly Rasy about him being tortured into saying what they wanted him to say to implicate Heng Pov. That's the highest point of their evidence against Heng Pov. Such evidence would never be admissible in courts of anywhere else in the world. I have recently come across a website set up by Heng Pov. It is www.hengpeo.com. I believe that righteous people in the world should visit the site and register their support for Heng Pov for what he is trying to do to bring about changes in Cambodia. In any case, you can read for yourself the statement of Heng Pov. I have read it and I believe what he says in the statement is true. Heng Pov had nothing to do with the death of the judge.
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