The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on April 17 heard the case of a former two-star general who was detained the previous day for violating the government's lockdown order, but adjourned the hearing after the accused requested more time to hire a lawyer.

Municipal court spokesman Kuch Kimlong said the trial would resume in two weeks.

Ung Chanthouk, 45, fomer deputy chief of staff at the National Police, was arrested along with two other men at his home in Phnom Penh's Meanchey district while drinking, singing and playing with powder with the tenants of his rental rooms – mostly factory workers – in violation of the lockdown measure.

Chanthouk was dismissed from the National Police through a royal decree signed by King Norodom Sihamoni on April 17.

He was charged under articles 3, 4 and 11 of the law on the control of Covid-19 and other contagious diseases.

Under Article 11, Chanthouk faces between six months and three years in prison and a fine of up to 10 million riel ($2,500) if found guilty. But if he was found to have transmitted the disease to others, the jail term and fine would be more than double to between two and five years and up to 20 million riel respectively.

In a separate case on April 17, Chroy Changvar district police arrested a man for impersonating a National Police official and driving his car on National Road 6 in violation of the lockdown order.

Police said Raingsey had since been sent to the municipal court for further procedures.