Court Silent On Charges Against Monk

A Phnom Penh Municipal Court official yesterday refused to disclose the nature of “incitement” charges issued in February against well-known monk Loun Sovath, while the Ministry of Justice claimed it was unaware of the case against the social campaigner. According to documents dated Feb. 14 and signed by the municipal court’s investigating Judge Duch Kimsan, Loun Sovath was charged under Article 495 of the criminal code dealing with incitement to commit crimes. Copies obtained Friday state that the documents were sent to Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana on Feb. 15 and later forwarded to the Ministry of Cult and Religion in March. ...