Cambodian general jailed for attacking boy who scared his daughter

Keo Monysoka in white shirt (Photo: Koh Santepheap)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010
DPA

Phnom Penh - A Cambodian court convicted a senior naval officer of assault after he attacked two teachers and a 10-year-old boy who scared his daughter, local media reported Wednesday. General Keo Monysoka, the deputy commander of Ream Naval Base near the southern tourist resort of Sihanoukville, carried out the attack on March 6 after the boy used a live turtle to frighten the general's 14-year-old daughter.

On hearing of the incident, the general and his adult son drove to the boy's school, where the general kicked and pulled the hair of two teachers and attacked the boy.

The general's adult son, who is now on the run, also allegedly pushed the boy to the ground and injured him.

The court handed the one-star general a one-year suspended sentence and ordered him to spend 10 days in jail. The judge also instructed Keo Monysoka to pay 4,500 dollars in compensation to the three victims.

Cambodian military officials enjoy relative impunity for their actions. The country's military has more than 2,000 generals, making it among the most top-heavy in the world