A deputy district police chief was suspended and placed under investigation Friday by Phnom Penh authorities over allegations that he released two gang-rape suspects in exchange for bribes, police officials said yesterday.

Brigadier General Pen Rath, deputy commander of the Phnom Penh Municipal Police, said police believed that Pos Thon, a deputy Dangkor district police chief in charge of penal affairs, passed falsified reports to his superiors, claiming the suspects were innocent.  

“He now is under investigation and inspection by the Phnom Penh Municipal Police. And after completion of the investigation, if  his case is found to be serious, he will be sent to Phnom Penh Court to be charged according to the law,” Rath told the Post yesterday.

A deputy chief of Dangkor district police, who provided details on condition of anonymity, said Thon is accused of releasing two men in exchange for $500 after arresting them as suspects for a March gang rape.

The officer then allegedly produced a fake police report stating that the men were found to be innocent.

When the victim found out, she “directly reported about his scandal to the chief of Phnom Penh Municipal Police. And he was suspended from his position on April 26,” the deputy chief said.

Based on the victim’s complaints, the two suspects released by Thon were arrested in late March and charged with gang rape. They remain in pre-trial custody in Prey Sar prison.

Thon could not be reached for comment.