A brigadier general has been demoted for allegedly assaulting a teenage girl at a restaurant, and may face criminal charges, officials said yesterday.
According to a Poipet town police report in January, Neth Samath threw a bowl at 17-year-old Chin Srey Neang, striking her in the head.
Chhum Socheat, spokesman for the Ministry of Defence, said yesterday that Samath was removed from his position as deputy chief of border relations, and relegated to a small-time office post.
The case was handled within the ministry, he said, and has not been sent to the court.
A contract obtained yesterday by The Post shows Srey Neang’s mother, Phon Malis, agreeing not to press charges against Samath in exchange for 1.4 million riel (about $350).
“The two of us decided not to file the complaint because he apologised and admitted his mistake,” the contract reads.
However, according to Sum Chankea, the provincial coordinator for the rights group Adhoc, Malis is now claiming she originally requested $1,500, and will file criminal charges against Samath.
“She needs more money to pay for her treatment. Her family is poor, so she filed the complaint to Adhoc,” Chankea said.
Chankea added that Samath, who could not be reached yesterday, did not have the authority to negotiate compensation outside of court in what is technically a criminal case.
Sith Los, deputy provincial police chief, said his officials had been unable to speak to the victim previously because she had declined to cooperate or press charges.
