Varin District Military Police Commander Ouch Sim yesterday said he would investigate his own deputy in the wake of allegations that his son beat a motorist and illegally detained him in a Military Police office in Siem Reap.
Ny Savun, Srenoy commune police chief, said the alleged perpetrator, Kong Kakada, 17, was involved in a traffic dispute with Khem Boty, also 17, while Kakada’s father, Deputy District Military Police Commander Hae Yem, was in the car.
“I did not see the incident happen, but according to people near the site, after beating the victim, they brought the victim to Military Police base 672 where his father works,” Savun said.
There, Savun said Yem apologised for the beating in written form and allowed Boty to leave only after he promised not to lay charges.
Yem yesterday denied his son was entirely at fault, saying Boty insulted Kakada’s mother. “Before the brawl happened, the victim cursed my son while I lowered the window and told him to be careful driving,” Yem said.
But Boty said Kakada instigated the physical confrontation. “I did not curse . . . He started beating me up and then he brought me to his father’s office,” Boty said.
Commander Sim said it was “necessary to investigate this case”, despite not receiving any complaint from the victim.
Khem Sovanny, the victim’s sister, said yesterday her family does not want to take legal action because they are afraid.
Siem Reap Provincial Court spokesman Ream Chanmony confirmed no complaint had been filed, but said if one were, Yem would likely face charges along with his son.
