Court to Hear Bundith Case Later This Month
The Court of Appeal will hear the case of former Bavet City governor Chhouk Bundith, who was convicted for shooting and injuring three garment workers but remains at large, at the end of this month, a court official said Wednesday. Although the Svay Rieng Provincial Court sentenced the ex-governor to 18 months in jail in June and ordered his immediate arrest, authorities have failed to arrest him and his whereabouts are currently unknown. The provincial court found Chhouk Bundith guilty after the Appeal Court ordered a reinvestigation into the case earlier this year. After the verdict, Chhouk Bundith’s lawyers filed an appeal in July. … Despite an arrest warrant already existing for Chhouk Bundith, Interior Minister Sar Kheng last week sent a letter to the National Police ordering the authorities to find and arrest the former governor, who was sentenced for unintentionally causing injuries when he opened fire into a crowd of workers during a protest in February 2012. Moeun Tola, head of the labor program for the Community Legal Education Center—which provided the three victims with legal aid—said Mr. Kheng’s announcement also highlights the ineffectiveness of the judicial system. …
Joshua Wilwohl and Dene-Hern Chen
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/court-to-hear-bundith-case-later-this-month-44788/
