Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Borei Keila resident summoned for questioning

Borei Keila resident summoned for questioning

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Borei Keila residents stand in front of Phanimex owner Suy Sophan's house last month to demand compensation. Sreng Men Srun.

Borei Keila resident summoned for questioning

A Borei Keila villager has been ordered to appear for questioning Tuesday at the Ministry of Interior over protests in Tuol Kork last month against the forced evictions of residents to make way for a development project.

Phork Sophin, 45, was ordered to appear at the Interior Ministry’s Crime Department by its director Sok Khemarin, after a protest at the house of Suy Sophan, the owner of Phanimex, which is developing the area.

The long-standing land dispute is one of the country’s most prominent, and escalated when Phanimex failed to deliver on a promise to build 10 buildings for residents leaving their homes. Only eight were built, resulting in years of protests and negotiations.

The letter from the Interior Ministry does not specify the alleged crime or basis of the complaint filed against Sophin by Sophan.

Sophin said suspected the complaint was in relation to protests held “many times” last month with other residents in front of Sophan’s house.

The gatherings included the throwing of a chilli-salt mix, and the beating of buckets, plates and pots.

At one point, she said, bodyguards came out and took their belongings when they refused to leave, at which point the demonstrators banged on the gate of Sophan’s house.

“She bulldozed and cleared my homes and sued me too,” she said. “We have been protesting for six years for a solution, but no [solution].”

Sophin said she was demonstrating to demand $25,000 in compensation for her home. She said she would appear for questioning Tuesday, with some 30 villagers planning to accompany and support her.

Department director Khemarin said he did not remember the specifics of the case, but asked Sophin to appear for questioning in accordance with the law.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to