Although a court has sentenced the man who shot dead an opposition party lawmaker’s son in 2009 to 12 years in prison, the victim’s family is not satisfied.

They want Bum Vimol, 30, who was convicted in absentia of gunning down Yont Thauron, caught and put in prison.

“Bum Vimol was sentenced in absentia to 12 years in prison and ordered to compensate our family 50 million riel [$12,500].

This is acceptable for us, but I want the authority to take action against the man by locking him in prison,” the victim’s brother, Yont Thavra, said.

Vimol shot Thauron, the son of Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Yont Tharo, following a minor traffic accident.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court handed down the sentence  on December 12, and Thauron’s father deemed it insufficient.

“Sentencing in absentia is like no sentence, because the perpetrator is still free,” he said.

Khieu Samon, director of the anti-drug trafficking department at the Ministry of Interior, said Vimol used to work at his office, but never returned after the crime.

“I don’t know about that incident or if he’s a perpetrator, but since this incident happened, he has stopped coming to work,” Samon said.