The Koh Kong Provincial Court yesterday heard a complaint by the Heng Huy Company after it accused villagers in Prek Chik village of intentionally poisoning two of its cows.

Koh Kong deputy provincial prosecutor Srey Makny said the court had finished its interrogation of village representative Phay Nherng, and presiding judge Sung Serie is scheduled to declare his verdict on June 30.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen, so we have to wait for the verdict,” Makny said.

Nherng, who represents Chi Khor Krom commune, denied the allegations, saying he viewed the case as an attempt to pressure villagers who have been embroiled in the land dispute.

“The Heng Huy Company just grabbed our lands and accused me,” he said. “The company is just using the court system to oppress me and make me poorer and poorer.”

Heng Huy, the owner of the company, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Meanwhile, In Kongchit, provincial coordinator for rights group Licadho, said the case seemed suspicious, given that Nherng was not home on the day in question.