In Cambodian Courts, Scales of Justice Are Tilted

An investigation into the February shooting of three female garment workers by the former governor of Bavet City, Chhouk Bundith, will be completed and sent to a prosecutor for review by the end of the week, a Svay Rieng Provincial Court official said yesterday. Despite the severity of the crime-all three shooting victims were hospitalized and one suffered from a punctured lung-officials in Svay Rieng province say Mr. Bundith remains a free man and is often seen in public. Mr.Bundith's case, which has trundled through the courts for the past six months, would appear emblematic of a string of recent cases that underlines just how immune high-powered officials are when they come before the politically-aligned legal system. ...