A prosecutor at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court has summonsed Venerable Keo Somaly of the activist Independent Monk Network for Social Justice to answer questions about an allegedly violent altercation at the Neak Vorn pagoda in Tuol Kork district on November 13.

The monk who filed the complaint, Long Chheng Hy, claims Somaly hit him in the head. Somaly, however, says he was punched in the face, though he didn’t accuse Chheng Hy.

Afterwards, Somaly was given 48 hours to leave the pagoda or risk being defrocked and arrested, but he ignored the deadline and still lives there.

Though he hasn’t been charged, Somaly said he would ask for a delay in the questioning so he can prepare and “ask for volunteer witnesses”.

Dated December 5, the summons orders Somaly to show up on Tuesday, December 23 at 8:30am.

Two witnesses for the plaintiff, Chheng Hy, were summonsed to appear a day earlier than Somaly. Chheng Hy could not be reached yesterday.