A teenage student arrested this week after a video of him attacking a female classmate went viral was charged yesterday at the Siem Reap Provincial Court with “intentional violence” and sent to pretrial detention, according to his father.

Provincial police chief Sort Nady said 17-year-old Hong Sochy was sent to the court yesterday afternoon for questioning. Sochy was arrested on Monday after a video of him attacking his 14-year-old classmate, Virak Moni Neath, was shared on social media.

Court prosecutor Kert Vannareth declined to comment yesterday, but Sochy’s father, Chheang Chea, said his son had been charged and detained in the provincial prison. He called for Sochy to be released, explaining that he “needs to study”.

Moni Neath’s father, Ney Vireak, called for the legal action against Sochy, and demanded $5,000 in compensation “because this case is too cruel”.

Pich Sophy, the principal of Dam Dek high school, said both students had behavioural problems and skipped class.