All eight lawyers representing opposition SRP lawyer Choung Choungy will defend him during his scheduled court appearance next week, Cambodian Bar Association spokesman Yim Sary said yesterday.

Yim Sary told the Post that Choung Choungy had been summonsed to appear in Kandal provincial court this Monday and each of his lawyers planned to accept an invitation from provincial court Judge Sin Virak to attend.

“All lawyers have already received the invitations,” he said.

Sok Sam Oeun, one of the eight lawyers, said his client would have a better chance of receiving justice if all his lawyers were there to support him.

Choung Choungy has been charged with aiding and abetting the escape of his client Meas Peng, the deputy chief of Kien Svay district’s Banteay Dek commune, from prison in September.

The court postponed questioning on February 13 after Choung Choungy said he could not respond to questions because all eight of his defence lawyers were not present.

Choung Choungy yesterday took aim at those who “abused their power” by accusing him.

“I have always been prepared to face the court. I want to see the law enforced,” he said.  

In a court summons, Judge Sin Virak said that if Choung Choungy did not appear in court, “we will issue a warrant to arrest him”.