Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker Nuon Vuthy has filed a complaint in Kandal provincial court accusing Hun To, the nephew of Prime Minister Hun Sen, of ordering his bodyguards to beat him and steal his parliamentary immunity card. Nuon Vuthy, who represents Kampong Cham province, said he was traveling on the Prek Kdam ferry on July 19 when he was attacked by Hun To’s bodyguards. Hun To denied the allegations, saying that he had never beaten, threatened or ordered his bodyguards to assault Nuon Vuthy. “Vuthy tried to force his way off the ferry before it was his turn,” Hun To said. “He took out something from his pocket which my bodyguards thought might have been a gun and then the passengers on the ferry ... fought him.”

Nuon Vuthy said he filed a complaint about the incident with the Punhea Leu district police chief, National Assembly president Heng Samrin and several NGOs on July 19. “Nuon Vuthy’s complaint was sent to Kandal provincial court on July 22,” said Roeun Nara, Kandal provincial deputy police commissioner. “I haven’t received any news from the court yet,” Nuon Vuthy said.

“I don’t believe that the court will be independent in solving my complaint.”