Arrested Land Officials Now Free on Bail

Four Land Management Ministry officials charged with corruption last week were released on bail yesterday, less than five days after arriving at Prey Sar prison for detention ahead of trial, officials said. Srung Leang, director of the prison's center no. 1, said he received the written release order from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court at 2 p.m. yesterday, but was provided with no reason for the bail. ... The four ministry officials- general department of land management deputy director Sa Reth Boramy, finance department director Pho Vuthy, finance department deputy director Meas Ey Sara, and Tuy Layrithy- were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit on Aug. 6 over alleged irregularities in implementing a land concession program for military veterans. ... The concession program referred to in the ministry statement sets aside free land for qualified military veterans and their families to live on and farm and is overseen by the ministry. ...