Former Cambodian Police Chief Sentenced To 14 More Years In Prison

2007-07-20
AP

PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA: A Cambodian court sentenced a former police chief to 14 more years in prison for possession of counterfeit currency after he was slapped with a 26-year term for other crimes, a prosecutor said Thursday (July 19th).

Former Phnom Penh police chief Heng Peo, 49, was already serving a 26-year sentence after being convicted of several crimes, including ordering the assassination of a judge in 2003 and illegal possession of weapons, said prosecutor Sok Kallyan.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Chey Sovann sentenced Heng Peo on Wednesday (July 18th). His wife Ngin Sotheavy, 39, who is living in exile in Finland, was also sentenced in absentia to 13 years in prison on the same charge.

Police seized US$30,000 in counterfeit U.S. currency in a raid of the couple's house in July last year, the prosecutor said.

Heng Peo was once in the inner circle of Cambodia's strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen.

After fleeing Cambodia in July last year, Heng Peo sought refuge in Malaysia, but was deported in December after losing a court battle to stay there while seeking asylum in another country.

Heng Pov's photo during his appearance at the kangaroo court

Heng Pov (2nd L), former Cambodian police chief and adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen, is escorted by prison officers during his arrival at the Municipal Phnom Penh court July 18, 2007. A Cambodian court sentenced Heng Pov to 14 years in jail on Wednesday for possessing $30,000 in counterfeit dollar notes. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

Cambodia political masquerade: The kangaroo court of Phnom Penh hands down an additional sentence to one of its own

Heng Pov Handed 14 Years on Counterfeit Charges

Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
18 July 2007

Phnom Penh's former police chief was handed a 14-year prison sentence Tuesday for possession of counterfeit money, lengthening his already long jail term for other crimes.

Heng Pov cried out after the sentencing, saying it had been "unfair." He shook and fell on the ground outside the courts, struggling to stay out of the police vehicle awaiting him.

Heng Pov, who fled the country last year and desperately sought refuge abroad, has already been sentenced to seven years for illegally imprisoning a woman and 18 years for complicity in the murder of a judge.

He had been an adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen, and his court cases have highlighted some of the inner workings of Cambodia's security apparatus.

Phnom Penh authorities found $30,000 in counterfeit bills at Heng Pov's house in July 2006.

The courts gave a 13-year sentence to Heng Pov's wife, Ngin Sotheavy.

Adhoc investigator Chan Saveth said there were many reasons to presume Heng Pov used counterfeit money.

Nou Chantha, lawyer of Heng Pov, declined comment after the hearing.