Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday convicted and sentenced in absentia a senior official at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport for directing money from employees’ salaries to his own pocket.

Seng Setha, 52, general director of the ministry’s administration and human resources department, was sentenced to four years’ prison and fined $1,250, Judge Sem Sakola said.

Setha has not been seen since being summonsed for questioning on December 19, following complaints from his staff.

A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Senior ministry official Kheang Yarath said he had given $1,250 to Setha, who had demanded it for “preparing documents for the government”.

Setha’s lawyer, who failed to appear at court yesterday, has previously denied the charge against his client.