Two armed robbers convicted of stealing US$124,000 in two separate robberies of businessmen in 2008 appealed their sentences yesterday, with one denying any involvement.

Taing Run, 27, and Um Chivoan, 28, were convicted in 2009 in connection with the US$50,000 robbery of a Chinese businessman at the ACLEDA Bank in Phnom Penh and with stealing US$74,000 from a Cambodian businessman in Kompong Cham province.

The duo were each sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to nine years in prison and fined two million riels (about US$500).

Chan Ra, 30 and Chan Pov, 30, who are also wanted for the robbery, were convicted in absentia to nine years’ jail.

They were charged with armed robbery and using guns without permission.

Taing Run admitted he had played a part in both robberies, but Um Chivoan denied any involvement in the crimes or with Taing Run’s group.

“I was only the victim of the police’s arrest in these cases,” he told the Court of Appeal.

The verdicts will be handed down on September 14.

To contact the reporter on this story: Buth Reaksmey Kongkea at [email protected]