Details scant in ACU's arrest of lawyer

Anti-Corruption Unit chief Om Yentieng talks at the ACU during a press conference in April.

A lawyer has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit and is expected to face court today, though the details of his arrest and the accusations against him remained hazy yesterday.

Pich Ratana, 40, was arrested on Tuesday near Olympic Stadium, and Saing Vannak, one of Ratana’s six potential lawyers, confirmed the ACU questioned Ratana and decided to detain him on Tuesday.

“We do not know clearly about what crime and who filed [the complaint] . . . that led to the ACU charging him,” Vannak said.

“He was a long-term member [of the bar association] and had his office properly registered . . . He never received any warning and never made a mistake.”

He said at an urgent meeting called by the bar association yesterday six lawyers volunteered to represent Ratana. They are due to visit him at the ACU today.

ACU head Om Yentieng on Tuesday confirmed a lawyer had been arrested then hung up on Post reporters yesterday.

Last year, Ratana defended former cop Pech Hy, 36, against charges of swindling $1.5 million of land from his former employer, tycoon Srey Chanthan.

Contact author: Mech Dara

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