Kong Rattana, a 65-year-old resident of Phnom Penh, has submitted a complaint to the Interior Ministry accusing five police officers of physical assault and the failure to properly document seized personal belongings. Rattana, who spent over 20 days in pretrial detention following accusations that he stole a bronze gong from the Svay Meas Pagoda, maintains his innocence.

The complaint identifies several high-ranking officers, including Bun Satya of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Commissariat and Hong Piseth of the Kambol district police inspectorate. Rattana alleges that he was subjected to beatings during interrogation and that officers confiscated his motorcycle, a wristwatch, and 600,000 riel (approximately $150) without including these items in an official court report. Rattana stated that the money was intended for his medical treatment.

Advertisement

Kambol district police have publicly dismissed the accusations as "baseless." However, Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak confirmed that the ministry will conduct a review to determine if the officers adhered to professional standards and legal procedures. "If we find that the officers acted correctly, we will clear their names. But if their actions were improper, we will also take action against the officers who committed wrongdoing," Sokhak said.

Rattana was arrested on August 12 and charged with theft by a municipal court judge. He was released on bail on September 14, though no trial date has been scheduled. Bun Phearum, Rattana’s son-in-law, expressed frustration over the lack of evidence submitted to the court, while Am Sam Ath, operations director for the rights group Licadho, urged authorities to conduct a transparent and fair investigation to ensure accountability.

Source: CamboJA News