Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - One-year hunt for murderer ends with Koh Kong capture

One-year hunt for murderer ends with Koh Kong capture

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
The suspect was arrested in Peam Krasop village of Mondul Seima district’s Peam Krasop commune and was sent to prison the same day. POLICE

One-year hunt for murderer ends with Koh Kong capture

Koh Kong provincial criminal police on May 23 detained a fugitive after hunting him down for nearly one year in relation to the alleged murder of a 19-year-old man in Khemarak Phoumin town’s Dang Tong commune last year.

Provincial deputy police chief Khem Sane said on May 24 that Yorn Virak, a 22-year-old worker at a private company, was arrested in Peam Krasop village of Mondul Seima district’s Peam Krasop commune and was sent to prison the same day.

“The accused hacked the victim to death and escaped. Police have been hunting for him for some time in accordance with the court’s arrest warrant,” he said.

According to the court warrant signed by judge Keo Sokha, on the night of June 22 last year, Virak chased the victim – Ly Ngar – with a sword and a machete, delivering several serious blows. Ngar succumbed to his injuries outside a school in Dang Tong commune, and the suspect fled the scene.

Police investigated the murder, identified the suspect and built a case, which was sent to the provincial court on June 24. The court heard the case in absentia and announced a verdict against Virak on January 19 of this year.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison under two charges – intentional violence with aggravating circumstances resulting in death and intentional violence with aggravating circumstances, under articles 224 and 218 of the Criminal Code.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm