A FAMILY of Kreung villagers in Ratanakkiri province has filed a complaint with rights group Adhoc seeking assistance in securing the return of US$500 that they claim to have paid a court clerk in order to release a relative.

Chavi Kangloy, 21, was arrested in Ratanakkiri in December and charged with rape. His family members claim that provincial court clerk Veay Vanla and a friend convinced them to pay a bribe in exchange for Chavi Kangloy’s release, but that their relative remains in custody.

“My brother and I have found the money to pay this clerk because he promised to help with the release of my brother, but when he received the money, he did not do anything,” said Chavi Kralanh, the suspect’s sister. The family claims to have sold 2.5 hectares of their land this past January in order to get $500 to pay the clerk. Veay Vanla could not be reached for comment yesterday, but his friend An Kong denied that he had ever solicited a bribe.

Adhoc coordinator Pen Bonnar said his organisation would investigate the case and forward the complaint to the Supreme Council of the Magistracy and the Anticorruption Unit.