A team of military police dispatched earlier this month to Kratie province has completed an investigation into four of their colleagues accused of extortion, threats of violence and illegal detention, though the suspects remain at work.

Sin Sophany, deputy national military police chief, said yesterday that a five-day investigating trip conducted by officers from Phnom Penh was wrapped up last week. He declined to give details of the probe.

“We inspected the case after getting the information about it. We have now returned and are writing a report to the National Military Commander Sao Sokha,” he said.

More than 100 villagers filed the lawsuit against Kratie deputy military police commander Mut Vannak and three of his subordinates.

Villagers claim the officers have illegally detained them at gunpoint and accused them of illegal logging to extort cash.

“Vannak and his subordinates extorted from $400 to $1,000 from the villagers, who just transported wood to make doors and windows, not for sale,” one of the villagers behind the lawsuit told the Post last week.

But while the case has resulted in an internal investigation, the four suspects – who have failed to respond to a court summons – have not been suspended.

Keo Chea, the provincial military police commander, said yesterday that his four officers were completing their duties as normal.

He added that while he was aware an investigation had taken place, he was not sure of the result.

Kratie provincial chief prosecutor Ty Sovinthal said he was still working on the case.