Man acquitted of 2007 murder of union leader Hy Vuthy

7 February 2014
The Cambodia Daily
Crime and law enforcement / Government / Government services / Judiciary and courts / Labor / Law and judiciary / Ministries and other national bodies / Unions
Chea Mony / Free Trade Union / Hy Vuthy / Judge Kor Vandy / Lawyer Chea Hongry / Phnom Penh Municipal Court / Prey Sar Prison

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday acquitted Chan Sophon of the 2007 murder of union leader Hy Vuthy, overturning a 2012 conviction and an 18-year jail sentence that rights groups and Mr. Vuthy’s own union believe was cover for the real perpetrators. …

The judge offered no explanation of the decision to overturn the conviction or when Mr. Sophon would be released and declined to comment afterward.

After the brief court session, Mr. Sophon again professed his innocence. …

Contacted afterward, FTU President Chea Mony said he did not believe Mr. Sophon was the murderer and welcomed the day’s verdict but at the same time faulted the court for not pursuing any other suspects in the original case. …

As in Mr. Sophon’s case, the men convicted for those murders were widely considered to be scapegoats and eventually released for lack of evidence.

 Eang Mengleng
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/man-acquitted-of-2007-murder-of-union-leader-hy-vuthy-51637/