Murder Trial

Five men were sentenced to between one and 12 years in prison in connection with the March 7 slaying of Nov Kim, a provincial official stationed in Ream National Park in Preah Sihanouk province, Preah Sihanouk provincial court Judge Tang Sunlay told the Post Thursday. Only three men, Sum Ath, Thorn Vichhav and Thorn Virak, were present when the judge read out their sentences. Thorn Virak, 37, was sentenced to one year for using illegal weapons and was fined 500,000 riels (US$119). Sum Ath, 39, was sentenced 10 years for premeditated murder, and Thorn Vichhay, 15, was handed down three years for being an accomplice to murder. The two perpetrators tried in absentia, Soam Vannak and Lung Bunthorn, received sentences of 10 and 12 years, respectively. Nov Kim was shot and killed while working at the national park after he had detained the five men on suspicion of illegal logging. Judge Tang Sunlay ordered four of the five men to also pay a total of 40 million riels ($9,512) in compensation to the victim's family. "I welcome the court's conviction of the five criminals," said Chan Chamroeun, an investigator for the rights group Adhoc.