The family of a 13-year-old girl condemned Stung Treng town police for their lack of effort in arresting a soldier accused of raping the girl on March 12.

“On 13 March, I lodged a complaint with Stung Treng town police against a 22-year-old soldier … for raping my daughter,” said the mother. She added that police told her no action could be taken until the suspect finished his mission and could be detained for questioning.

On March 12, while the victim was at a party, the suspect forced her to drink alcohol and then took her to the home of another soldier and raped her, according to the victim’s mother. Hou Sam Ol, Stung Treng provincial monitor for local rights group Adhoc, said yesterday that authorities needed to act on the case.

“We cannot wait for a solution from police, so tomorrow I will submit an intervention letter to the prosecutor,” he said.