Shooting suspect a governor no more
Triple-shooting suspect Chhouk Bandith has been sacked as Bavet town governor to prevent him from interfering in court proceedings, the Svay Rieng deputy provincial governor said yesterday. The high-profile suspect is accused of shooting three garment factory workers at a protest outside the Kaoway Sports Ltd shoe factory in Svay Rieng’s Manhattan special economic zone last month. Svay Rieng deputy governor Men Vibol said Chhouk Bandith’s governorship was terminated by a sub-decree signed by Prime Minister Hun Sen on March 6, a day after he was issued a summons by the provincial court for questioning next Friday. “The reason that the governor was fired from his position is because they make a way for the court to take action following the court procedure,” he said, suggesting that court officials might be unwilling to take action because of his position. The sub-decree, also signed by Minister of Interior Sar Kheng, orders that Chhouk Bandith be given an unspecified position in the Svay Rieng provincial administration, he added. Since the shooting on February 20, Bavet town hall officials have reportedly made repeated visits to the three victims, offering them sums ranging from US$500 to $1,000 in exchange for agreeing not to press charges against Chhouk Bandith. Sok Sam Oeun, executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project, said the move would strip Bandith of his influence over local police, government and court officials. …
