Men testify against cop

(CAAI News Media)

Thursday, 24 December 2009 15:02 Chrann Chamroeun

A MECHANIC who accused a senior police official and two accomplices of beating him with a pistol has been questioned along with three witnesses by Phnom Penh Municipal Court about the incident, the victim’s employer said on Wednesday.

Neang Sok Na, deputy police chief of the Phnom Penh Minor Crimes Bureau, and two others are accused of pistol-whipping Phat Dara on the head and hands, and threatening his life after an argument over racing his car outside the victim’s garage. The accusations have been denied by the police. Om Heng, who employs Phat Dara, said he, the victim and two witnesses were questioned “for hours” on Monday.

A criminal complaint was lodged by the victim with the Ministry of Interior and thumb-printed by 50 witnesses following the incident on December 13. Ou Virak, president of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights, said the group had called on the government to guarantee that the accused be charged.

“If the court prosecutor fails to prosecute the men, it will show that the culture of impunity still remains a concern,” he said.