Chea Vichea case reopened

Born Samnang (All Photos: Khmer Sthabna)

Sok Sam Oeun talking to reporters

Chea Mony, the younger brother of Chea Vichea

Tuesday, 18 August 2009
By Chrann Chamroeun
The Phnom Penh Post

Court says 2004 killing of trade union leader remains unclear.

THE Appeal Court has ordered further investigations into the 2004 killing of trade union leader Chea Vichea, following requests from the defence lawyers of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun, the two men accused of the killing.

"This case is still not clear, which requires us to conduct further investigations involving some police in relation to the [slaying]," presiding Judge Chuon Sunleng said after the two-hour hearing. He ordered that suspects Born Samnang, 28, and Sok Sam Oeun, 41, remain free until the investigation is closed and a verdict handed down.

During a two-hour hearing on Monday, the two men again protested that they were not involved in the killing of Chea Vichea, accusing the police who arrested them in 2004 of forcing them to confess to the crime.

"The Appeal Court's decision was very fair and just for us, and we received about 80 percent justice," Sok Sam Oeun said after the court session.

"[We are] grateful ... to local and international NGOs for investigating our case and to our lawyers for pursuing justice for us from the beginning to the end."

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