The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday put eight men in pre-trial detention after they were arrested for impersonating army and police officers and possessing unauthorised weapons.
The men worked as security guards at private banks and financial institutions and were arrested last week, Lim Sokha Reaksmey, head of the Interior Ministry’s anti-gambling and private security department said.
He said police found 10 guns, eight walkie-talkies, a fake letter authorising the use of weapons and a number of unspecified equipment as evidence.
“After questioning the suspects, police have identified their accomplices. The eight were arrested while they were on duty as security guards at private banks and financial institutions. Police are investigating further and on the lookout for more suspects,” he said.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Ly Sophana could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
The court’s deputy prosecutor, Riel Sophin, is working on the case, Reaksmey said.
Among the eight suspects are Sor Virak, 43, the mastermind who impersonated a police chief and Khit Sokhoeurn, 33, who impersonated an army chief.
The two illegally recruited would-be police and army officers and put them to work as security guards at private institutions.
The other suspects were identified as Touch Menghuon, 45; Vorn Sophanith, 32; Li Khean, 38; Phos Soeurn, 31; Krak Tieng, 44; and Din Thon, 39.
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