Families Claim Officials Extort Fees at Checkpoints
More than 30 families living in Pursat province’s Dangkeab village have filed complaints with their village chief against environmental officials, whom they claim extorted money from them to pass illegal checkpoints as they transported firewood from a nearby forest to the village, authorities said yesterday. “Since August 19, more than 30 families came to my office to file complaints and ask for help,” said Phy Yas, the village chief. She said the families had been asked to pay 200,000 to 300,000 riel, or about $50 to $75, to pass six checkpoints they were told were set up to catch illegal loggers. … Krakor district deputy police chief Em Run said he received the reports from Ms. Yas and is investigating. …
