In A bizarre turn of events in one of the most publicised cases in recent memory, tycoon Khaou Chuly was accused of masterminding a plot to kill his daughter during testimony at his wife’s Appeal Court hearing yesterday.

In February, Khaou Chuly’s wife Seng Chenda was convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for masterminding a murder plot that targeted Sun Sotha, Khaou Chuly’s daughter from a previous marriage.

He wanted to make his wife happy so he wanted to kill Sun Sotha

Chan Sokha, a maid found guilty of attempted murder along with Seng Chenda in February, claimed yesterday during the appeal hearing that she had overheard discussions between Khaou Chuly and his son, Khaou Phalabot, about a plot to murder Sun Sotha.

Chan Sokha said Khaou Chuly created the scheme to please his wife because he felt his daughter did not respect her.

“He wanted to make his wife happy so he wanted to kill Sun Sotha,” she said.

Khaou Chuly said that the accusation was “fake”.

“She is my flesh and blood, why would I want her dead? What my maid is saying is not true.”

Sun Sotha’s brother Khaou Phalabot also dismissed the allegation as a “funny story”.

“People don’t kill their sons and daughters. That only happened during the Pol Pot regime,” he said.

During the high-profile case heard earlier this year, Sun Sotha’s husband, Sun Chanthol, was accused of framing Seng Chenda by working with authorities to physically coerce confessions from her alleged accomplices  in the plot – Neang Sinath and Khorn Lak, in addition to Chan Sokha.

Sun Chanthol is the vice-chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia and a former minister of public works and transportation.

The Appeal Court is scheduled to continue hearings on October 4.