Investigation delays final Dara hearing
The Phnom Penh Court of Appeal yesterday postponed the final hearing of disgraced anti-drug czar Moek Dara, Chea Leng and Morn Doeun until next month, citing a need for more time in light of last-minute investigations by the Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court, a court official said. Presiding judge Chay Chandaravann said the lower court was confirming the identity of an imprisoned former drug trafficker-turned-witness who had levelled accusations at Dara, and whose existence Dara’s defence team questioned. … Instead of opening the new case, Moek Dara and Chea Leng were re-questioned by the court, and rehashed allegations of faking reports and documents, releasing drug traffickers in exchange for bribes, keeping and selling contraband and leading drug trafficking activity in Cambodia. …