Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday sentenced a 17-year-old ex-monk to five years in prison for fatally stabbing his superior at Phnom Penh’s Samaki Rainsy pagoda in January.

Chan Sopheak, also called Ly Toeng, was convicted of killing Venerable Thach Khan, the deputy chief of the Meanchey district pagoda, following an argument.

Presiding judge Tob Chhun Heng said Sopheak, who stabbed Khan in the neck, arm and back, was sentenced for committing violence in aggravating circumstances leading to unintentional death.

Sopeak was also ordered to pay Khan’s family about $5,000.

Thach Thavy, director of the Khmer Kampuchea Krom Monk Association, based at Samaki Rainsy, disputed the “unfair” verdict, claiming authorities had not conducted a thorough investigation.

Thavy claimed more suspects were involved.

He alleged the killing was ordered by a third person, while the knife did not belong to Sopheak.

However, the victim’s cousin Thach Sothun, 34, said he would lodge an appeal because the sentence was too lenient.