Court to Question 4 Bavet Shooting Witnesses

The Svay Rieng Provincial Court will question four new witnesses to the February shooting of garment workers in Bavet City allegedly committed by former city governor Chhouk Bundith, a court official said yesterday. “We are preparing to schedule the questioning of four new witnesses. It might be next week”, said investigating judge Petch Chhoeut, adding that the victims’ lawyer had submitted the request for the questioning. Chin Lyda, the lawyer for the three injured woman, said the four witnesses are all garment workers who were present during the shooting. Moeun Tola, head of the labor program at the Community Legal Education Center – which is providing legal aid to victims – said many eye witnesses are too afraid to come forward  to testify as Mr. Bundith is still at liberty, despite admitting to firing his pistol during the protest. “The suspect should be put i pretrial detention. Since the suspect is free, that’s why the witnesses are very scared to testify,” said Mr. Tola. Mr. Bundith has been charged with causing unintentional injury for shooting the tree women.