The lawyer for Seng Chenda has filed an appeal to Phnom Penh’s Appeal Court, seeking to overturn his client’s sentence of 20 years in prison for her role in an attempted murder plot.

Last week Seng Chenda was convicted of masterminding a scheme to kill Suv Chantha, the daughter of prominent businessman Khaou Chuly, and her nine-year-old daughter last June. Seng Chenda is married to Khaou Chuly, though Suv Chantha is his child from a previous marriage.

Lim Vanna said the appeal, which was sent to the court on February 17, was filed because the sentencing was “unjust” and based on unfounded allegations.

“[My client] decided to appeal because she thought her verdict was very unjust because she was innocent and the victim of accusations,” said Lim Vanna. “The accusations were only exaggerations made by Sun Chanthol and [Suv Chantha]”.

Suv Chantha is married to Sun Chanthol, vice chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia and a former minister of public works and transport.

Pal Chandara, a lawyer representing Suv Chantha, said the allegations against his client’s husband are false.

“His Excellency Sun Chanthol is a senior official of the Royal Government of Cambodia,” he said. “He has a prestigious name and is very busy with his work. He is not involved in this thing”.

Khaou Phallaboth, a son of Khaou Chuly, told The Post last week that the charges were merely an extension of a family dispute.

“I don’t believe that Seng Chenda has committed this crime; it is just a drama prepared by Sun Chantol.”

Three accomplices – Khorn Lak, 30, Chan Sokha, 38, and Neang Sinath, 25 – were also sentenced for their roles in the plot, getting between 18 and 20 years in prison.