PHNOM Penh Municipal Court yesterday heard the case against a man accused of forging public documents after police confiscated materials used in the production of fake licences and ID cards in his house.

Soy Vuthy, 25, was arrested near Monivong Bridge in Chamkarmon district while attempting to deliver three fake vehicle licenses to his clients.

District police chief Iv Chhun Pheng said that during a subsequent raid on the suspect’s house, officials confiscated a photocopy machine, plastics, stamps and a further 60 fake documents including student and ID cards.

During the hearing yesterday, Soy Vuthy denied the charges and claimed that his business was legitimate.

“My business is to laminate cards and copy all kinds of documents to the customers’ demands,” he said. “I do not know which documents are real or fake.”

Defence lawyer Ros Aun said his client was illiterate and as such unable to read Khmer or any foreign languages, let alone tell whether a document was fake or not.

“I think this charge against my client is inappropriate, so I would like to request that the court drop the charges and release him,” he said.

If found guilty, Sor Vuthy faces between five and 15 years in prison.

Presiding Judge Kor Vuthdy said a verdict would be announced on December 23.