Charges against two men accused of transporting 900 kilograms of rosewood on Sunday were dismissed yesterday by a judge who then ordered a fresh investigation.

Kampong Chhnang Provincial Court judge Kim Luy said the two men could not be charged under Article 96, Section 1 of the Forestry Law because it allowed only for them to be fined and released, according to Chin Sophat, a police official.

“The judge has voided the charges in the hearing yester­day and allowed charges and investigations to be made again,” he said.

The judge did so because he believed releasing a rosewood smuggler would be contrary to a recommendation made by Prime Minister Hun Sen. Nhem Vanden, 22, and Hou Bunrith, 26, were questioned again but are yet to be re-charged.