The military police commander and his subordinate charged on Monday for torturing two young girls Kratie province. FACEBOOK
The Kratie Provincial Court investigating judge has placed Kratie town Military Police commander Tep Huy and his deputy Kim Sovannarith in pre-trial detention on charges of torture, aggravated brutality and aggravated intentional violence for assaulting two 12-year-old cousins who worked for Huy as housemaids.
The girls’ families expressed their satisfaction with the court’s decision.
A court press release obtained by The Post on November 1 said the prosecutor had received the criminal case involving Huy and Sovannarith from the judicial officers of the Kratie provincial Military Police.
According to the press release, after looking into the case and questioning the suspects the prosecutor referred the case to the investigating judge who then charged the 42-year-old commander with torture, aggravated brutality, aggravated intentional violence and making death threats against the victims under articles 211, 219 and 233 of the Criminal Code.
The offences all took place on October 27 at the Leang Huy car and motorcycle sales shop and phone shop in Kratie commune’s Trapeang Pring village of Kratie town and on October 28 at Rokar Kandal commune’s Rokar Kandal village in Kratie town.
The 40-year-old Sovannarith was charged with aggravated intentional violence against the victims under Article 219 of the criminal code. He allegedly committed the assault by striking the girls on October 27 at the motorcycle shop.
“Having received the case, the investigative judge decided to place Huy and Sovannarith in pre-trial detention in Kratie provincial prison pending trial,” the press release said.
Kin Sok, the 36-year-old mother of the victims, said she was relieved that the court was providing justice for her daughters.
“Knowing that the court sent Tep Huy to pre-trial detention felt good because I am poor and unable to wage a legal battle and get justice on my own,” she said.
However, she still looks forward to the court’s eventual verdict, saying the court should grant her daughter and niece compensation.
“I would like to request that the court grant us compensation and wrap-up the case soon so that I can use it to start a business and care for my family,” she said.
