Law and judiciary

A woman who had been sentenced to 15 years for organ trafficking in March had her sentence halved at the Appeal Court yesterday, while her two relatives convicted in absentia saw their 10-year sentences dropped entirely. ...

A new law protecting investment from Russia and Belarus will help Cambodia diversify its export markets as well as encourage more investments from Russia and Eastern Europe, Senate spokesman Mam Bun Neang said yesterday. ...

More than 200 villagers living on the fringe of a giant hydropower project in Stung Treng province are lobbying for their commune’s police chief to be removed, alleging that he habitually confiscates illegally logged wood from villagers on behalf of powerful business interests. ...

Phnom Penh’s municipal governor yesterday called on citizens to start obeying traffic laws and using the city’s fledgling public-transportation system as he addressed widespread discontent with traffic issues. ...

Six men suspected of involvement in the weekend murder of a local police officer and a forest ranger in Preah Vihear province were charged Wednesday with illegal logging, while authorities continue to search for evidence linking them to the double homicide, a court official said. ...

A court complaint lodged by the vice president of charismatic radio station owner Mam Sonando’s political party seeking its eventual dissolution has been thrown out of court. ...

Two opposition lawmakers who were attacked outside the National Assembly last month have filed a complaint of attempted murder against their assailants. ...

A lawyer for two opposition lawmakers brutally beaten outside parliament late last month has filed a complaint to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court demanding $50,000 in compensation. ...

Authorities in Preah Vihear province on Tuesday arrested a local soldier on suspicion of being involved in the fatal shooting of a police officer and a Forestry Administration ranger on an overnight patrol for illegal loggers early Saturday morning. ...

The almost 400 inmates held in Kampot Provincial Prison were transferred yesterday to a new facility, which officials say is better fit for purpose but a local rights group claims lacks any clean water. ...

Three Bulgarians staying on tourist visas were tried at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday for allegedly trying to steal money from an ATM machine in the city. ...

Kampong Speu provincial deputy governor Vey Samnang is scratching his head over a dispute between a company that operates a cashew plantation, Ouk Khun, in his province and villagers who say it grabbed their land and then installed electricity cables to electrocute them.  ...

 A total of 254 Chinese citizens arrested in Cambodia and Indonesia for running telephone and Internet scams targeting Chinese victims were repatriated Tuesday to face charges in China, the Public Security Ministry said. ...

Two workers from a garment factory in Kompong Speu province who were charged with a slew of crimes following their attempt last month to break away from the only union operating at their factory were released from jail on Friday, a court official and union ...

Police in Oddar Meanchey province are searching for three armed robbers who made off with about $30,000 in cash on Sunday after holding up a gas station and shooting the owner and her neighbor, a local official said Monday. ...

Authorities in a northern Cambodian province on Monday rounded up six suspects for questioning in the killing of two officials and wounding of another who were on patrol in a preserved forest area, in the latest apparent confrontation between illegal loggers and officials, provincial police ...

Minister of Environment Say Samal yesterday vowed that those responsible for the murder of two forest rangers shot dead while patrolling a protected forest near Preah Vihear temple Saturday morning will be brought to justice. ...

A Chinese tourist was arrested in Phnom Penh on Saturday afternoon after he used a drone to take pictures in front of the Royal Palace. ...

A draft law seven years in the making to regulate and standardize the Kingdom’s animal health regulations is on the verge of reaching parliament after getting approval from the Council of Ministers on Friday.  ...

In an apparent attempt to distance himself from the savage beating of two opposition party lawmakers last month, Hun Sen’s son and ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) lawmaker Hun Many threatened legal action against any individuals linking him to the incident.  ...

The number of registered vehicles surged this year due to rapid economic expansion and rising incomes this year, according to Ministry of Public Works and Transport secretary of state Min Meanvy.  ...

A former inmate at Kampong Speu and Trapaing Phlong prisons claimed yesterday he witnessed rampant drug dealing at both facilities and plans to file a complaint with the support of NWRPO, a local NGO. ...

Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Thursday that the soldiers who violently attacked two CNRP lawmakers last week were only reacting to racial insults, while Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said he would have “used a gun” against the lawmakers. ...

The Interior Ministry released a statement Thursday calling for increased protection from violence and criminal activity for “elite figures.” ...