A husband and wife accused of breach of trust and collusion over allegations they siphoned more than US$30 million from a company owned by a senator in the ruling Cambodia People’s Party have asked that members of the opposition Sam Rainsy Party refrain from intervening on their behalf.

Heng Chheang, former vice president of Anco Company, and his wife Tep Kolap, former rector of Phnom Penh International University, issued a letter on Saturday telling six SRP MPs to withdraw their complaint to the Anti-Corruption Unit calling for it to investigate the judge hearing their case.

Tep Kolap has accused Phnom Penh Municipal Court investigating judge Te Sam Ang of failing to properly follow legal procedures in the case against her and her husband, and called for an independent audit of Anco, which is owned by Senator Kok An. However, she and her husband said they wanted the SRP lawmakers to withdraw their complaint to the ACU. Their letter also said they “have confidence in the wise leadership of Prime Minister Hun Sen to find justice in this case”.

Nuth Romdoul, an SRP MP for Kampong Speu, said he would intervene for citizens suffering from injustice. “Judge Te Sam Ang’s handling of the case against them was  improper, so we filed a complaint to the ACU to investigate it,” he said. He added that he was unsure whether the SRP MPs would withdraw their complaint to the ACU.

They submitted it on November 15 via the president of the National Assembly.

The Supreme Court denied the couple bail on October 12. They were charged on July 4.