A svay Rieng Provincial Court official said yesterday it would hear the case of former Bavet town governor Chhouk Bandith – who is accused of shooting three garment workers during a protest last year – within a month.

“Judge Leang Sour and I agreed that we will set a date not later than mid-May,” said provincial prosecutor Hing Bunchea. “I am waiting for the judge to set a date, so I can sign the summons.”

Bunchea also dismissed media reports that authorities had planned a hearing before Khmer New Year, saying they had only agreed to meet on the matter before then.

Three women were shot at Kaoway Sports, a supplier to Puma, during a strike involving thousands of workers in Svay Rieng province in February last year.

In December, the provincial court dropped Bandith’s unintentional injury charges, but in March, the Appeal Court re-charged him and ordered the lower court to hear the case.