A FORMER military officer who worked in Prime Minister Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit was arrested on Saturday and charged with rape, breach of trust and fraud.

Kandal Provincial Court prosecutor Ouk Kimseth said 57-year-old Chea Chan Sophal, also known as Chanputrithy, was charged based on the complaints of three women and one man, tying the suspect to rape as well as using his previous status as a military officer as leverage to illegally obtain possessions.

“He was charged by the court after the completion of his questioning last week,” Ouk Kimseth said.

Police officer Sath Saroeun said the suspect wore his old military uniform to appear to be an active officer and used this false pretence of authority to borrow individuals’ belongings without returning them.

A 20-year-old woman in Kampong Thom accused Chea Chan Sophal of raping her in 2010. A 28-year-old shop owner in Kandal province claims the suspect borrowed several thousand US dollars worth of construction materials, but refused to pay.