General director of Nokorwat newspaper Touch Kongkea has appealed a court decision that rejected his accusations media baron Soy Sopheap defamed him and stole personal emails.

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Touch Kongkea sued the Deum Ampil Media Centre general director last year for allegedly accessing private emails between himself and Lim Bunheng, president and CEO of rice-milling company Loran Import-Export Co Ltd.

The emails, which have been seen by the Post, pertained to a planned takeover of a radio station run by Soy Sopheap.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court threw out the charges three weeks ago, but Touch Kongkea’s lawyer, Chan Vichet, said yesterday that his client had appealed this decision on February 29.

“My client could not accept the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s decision, because it was injustice for him,” he said yesterday.

Chan Vichet said his client has also demanded US$5,000 compensation from Soy Sopheap.

Soy Sopheap could not be reached for comment, but his lawyer, Kouy Thunna, said his client will counter-sue Touch Kongkea for lying to the court by falsely accusing his client.

“To find justice for my client as well as to defend his honour, I will file a lawsuit against Touch Kongkea for telling lies to the court. I will ask for $10,000 in compensation for him,” he said.