Two high-ranking officials in Mondulkiri province were charged yesterday in the vicious beating of a judge in the provincial capital on Sunday.

The two men were identified by Mondulkiri provincial prosecutor Khurh Sopheang as Chith Kunthol and Chhoeng Chanbo, deputy inspector of the provincial branch of the Ministry of Labour and deputy director of the provincial branch of the Ministry of Land Management, Urban Planning and Construction, respectively.

The accused officials, however, have fled the province, according to a provincial police officer who asked to remain unidentified.

The judge, Meng Tony, remains in serious condition with a broken skull. He has now been transferred to a hospital in Vietnam for treatment.

The beating may have stemmed from a business dispute, personal vendetta or anger over a verdict, according to Sam Sarin, Adhoc’s coordinator in Mondulkiri province.  Witnesses told Adhoc that the attackers had guns.

The judge was beaten by seven men at a guesthouse and restaurant in Sen Monorom, before being dragged into a car and left on the side of a road 10 kilometres away.