King Norodom Sihamoni yesterday shook up the composition of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, officially instituting seven new members to the body overseeing the nation’s judiciary, while also disbarring one former prosecutor.

Top Chan Sereyvuth, a former Pursat attorney, was officially disbarred five years after he was given 19 years in prison in connection to an extortion and abduction racket, said council secretary-general Sam Prachea Manith.

Sereyvuth was found guilty for his involvement in arresting an illegal-logging suspect and demanding $3,000 in exchange for his release.

In addition to ousting the imprisoned Chan Sereyvuth, Sihamoni requested seven officials newly elected to the Magistracy retire from their current positions.

“They have to resign their posts [as judges or prosecutors]. They cannot be footballers and referees at the same time,” Prachea Manith explained.

Provincial-level replacements, as well as judge and prosecutor appointees to newly created Tbong Khmum province, are set to be selected today.