A father who has sued a monk for the “repeated” rape of his daughter but has since faced a counter-lawsuit for defamation is set to stand trial at the Kandal provincial court today.

Relatives of the monk, Lun Sovanda, filed a complaint on his behalf against Sun Sot Sophal, 47, in April for “insulting monkhood”.

If found guilty, Sophal faces up to six days in jail and a fine of up to 100,000 riel ($25) under Article 516 of the Criminal Code.

The monk has denied any wrongdoing. The provincial court has summoned Sovanda twice for questioning but he never appeared and has since fled the pagoda.