A 22-year-old man was yesterday given a life sentence for the murder of a Phnom Penh bread shop owner, whose body was dumped outside the Ministry of Defence last October.

Judge Duch Kimsorn sentenced Sorn Savoeurn, who shot Sim Ratha following a dispute between the bread boss and his family over a shop lease in Dangkor district, to life in prison at Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Four others – including two member of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit – were imprisoned for their roles in the fatal shooting of Rotha Angkor Bread Shop’s owner.

Accomplices Mon Sok Kha, 39, a bodyguard unit member, and Chan Serey Both, 22, were given 18 and 20 years respectively.

Bodyguard unit member Toan Vicheth, who sold the gun to the perpetrator, was given 18 months. Mon Sok Kha’s wife, 29-year-old Sorn Sophea, who ordered the murder, was given 16 years in prison.

During the trial, the prosecution alleged that Chan Serey Both staked out the victim and flagged him down outside a car wash, allowing Sorn Sorphea to hijack the car and kill the bread boss with a gun provided by Toan Vichet.

All the accused were apprehended on November 6, 2010, after a complaint was filed to the police.

Chheak Kunthea, wife of the bakery owner, said yestserday following the verdict: “I have no comment, but I will meet my lawyer to discuss whether the verdict is  fair enough or not.”