Hun Sen Nephew Sues Two of Opposition [-Like thug-uncle, like thug-nephew]

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
29 August 2008

A nephew of Prime Minister Hun Sen filed suit in Kandal provincial court this week, claiming he had been defamed by remarks of two opposition parliamentary candidates who accused him of assault.

Hun To's suit stems from an altercation on a ferry in Ponhea Leu district, Kandal, in which Sam Rainsy Party candidates Nuon Vuthy and Uch Sereyyuth said Hun To ordered his bodyguards to assault them.

Hun To has denied the accusation, and on Monday he asked the Kandal court to investigate the two men for defamation.

The alleged assault occurred during the campaign to the national election, when the two lawmakers say they were attacked by Hun To's bodyguards after they drove their vehicle off the ferry.

Nuon Vuthy said bodyguards Hun To's bodyguards punched him in the head and kicked Uch Sereyyuth after a confrontation on the ferry.

"If the court works at its procedure and is not under pressure from a powerful man, it would find the truth after it investigates," Nuon Vuthy said.

Kandal court prosecutor Ouk Kimsith confirmed receipt of the complaint.

"I have not taken any measures yet," he said.

He had also received a complaint from the two Sam Rainsy Party lawmakers of the assault and had referred that case to deputy prosecutor Koeurt Vannareth.

Hun To's lawyer, Yin Wengka, said Friday he had filed the complaint Monday.

"These two men defamed my client," he said. "What they said is not true. At that time, no bodyguard went with Hun To. At that time Hun To took one car with three people, traveling to Kampong Cham."

According to Cambodian law, defamation charges do not carry penalties of imprisonment, but do carry fines. Assaults can lead to a sentence of one to five years in prison.

Courts Urged to Call Hun Sen's Nephew

By Taing Sarada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Washington
05 August 2008

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The Asian Human Rights Commission has called on Kandal provincial court to summon a nephew of the prime minister accused of assault.

Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Noun Vuthy filed an assault case with the courts against the bodyguards of Hun To, nephew of Prime Minister Hun Sen, late last month.

The bodyguards allegedly assaulted Noun Vuthy on a ferry in Kampong Cham, ahead of the national election.

"No one can be above the law or out of the law so that when there is a law violation, the court should be brave enough to summon that person to the courtroom, through the evidence and witnesses that have seen clearly the abuse that happened," said Lao Monghay, a senior researcher for the Asian Human Rights Commission.

Noun Vuthy called on the courts to "stop working under the orders of high-ranking powerful people, under government pressure."

Hun To denied the allegations, saying he had been "quiet," and would now counter-charge Noun Vuthy.

This is not the first allegation of threat for Hun To. In 2006, he was accused of threatening an opposition journalist, You Saravuth, who later fled the country.

No Cash for Allegation: Hun Sen Nephew

By Taing Sarada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
06 August 2008

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The nephew of Prime Minister Hun Sen accused of ordering the assault of an opposition lawmaker said Tuesday he would not pay compensation outside of court.

The nephew, Hun To, said he had been contacted by Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Noun Vuthy through an intermediary and asked for $3,000 in compensation for an alleged assault in Kandal province.

"Why should I give him if I have done nothing wrong?" Hun To told VOA Khmer.

Noun Vuthy denied asking for any money, saying he had been joking with an SRP bodyguard named Long Ry.

Noun Vuthy has filed a complaint in Kandal provincial court alleging Hun To ordered his bodyguards to beat him as they were both leaving a ferry in the province.

Contacted this week, Long Ry said Noun Vuthy actually wanted $20,000 in compensation.

"But Hun To's side does not want to have a solution with compensation," he said.