Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Court calls for Bar to ‘punish’ attorney

Court calls for Bar to ‘punish’ attorney

Chhorn Blump was arrested by military police earlier this month in Preah Sihanouk province.
Chhorn Blump was arrested by military police earlier this month in Preah Sihanouk province. Photo supplied

Court calls for Bar to ‘punish’ attorney

Two Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court officials have asked the Bar Association of the Kingdom of Cambodia to “punish” local lawyer Put Theavy for holding a press conference criticising the court for jailing one of his clients, who is involved in a land dispute.

The July 19 letter accuses Theavy of “accusing and attacking” army General Chhorn Phlom, who was arrested in early July for allegedly grabbing land from villagers in the seaside town’s Bit Traing commune. Court President Mong Mony Chakrya and Prosecutor Chat Soreaksmey claimed that the press conference affected the secrecy of the investigation and was an attempt to confuse the public.

“The provincial court considers Put Theavy’s action as a violation to lawyer’s secret work, as mentioned in Article 7 of lawyer ethics [rules] and is considered as a penal offense according to Articles 314 and 522 of the Penal Code,” the letter reads.

Soreaksmey declined to comment on the letter, and Bar Association President Soun Visal could not be reached yesterday.

Theavy yesterday said that Phlom was part of more than 70 families that had been accused by local firm Thai Heng Long of grabbing land it owned.

He said he had objected to his client being jailed and would happily present himself before the Bar Association, but was angry that the letter was leaked to government-aligned local media outlet Fresh News before he even received it.

“Is it good or ethical also as that my name is publicly mentioned in the court’s letter to the Bar?” he said.

MOST VIEWED

  • 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

  • Ministry taking steps over Thai ‘replica’ of Angkor Wat

    The Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts has dispatched experts to inspect the ongoing construction of a temple in Wat Phu Man Fah, located in Thailand’s Buriram province. This temple appears to be a replica of Cambodia’s renowned Angkor Wat. The ministry said

  • 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

  • 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

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.

  • 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