Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Prey Veng prison staff face penalty over extortion via ‘sext’

Prey Veng prison staff face penalty over extortion via ‘sext’

Inmate Yem Bros, 43, photographed after his re-arrest in Prey Veng for allegedly using sexually compromising materials to extort money from victims. Fresh News
Inmate Yem Bros, 43, photographed after his re-arrest in Prey Veng for allegedly using sexually compromising materials to extort money from victims. Fresh News

Prey Veng prison staff face penalty over extortion via ‘sext’

Prey Veng prison staff accused of helping an inmate extort a woman who sent him sexually explicit videos online may be “transferred” or “stripped of their rank”, an official said yesterday.

A spokesman for the General Department of Prisons, San Keo, said that though no action had been approved yet, a report about the case had suggested the measures for those accused of involvement, who include a deputy prison chief.

The case came to light three weeks ago after a woman from Kandal province filed a complaint with police. The victim alleged she handed over $520 to inmate Yem Bros after he threatened to publish naked videos she had sent. Police further claimed Bros was given access to phones and a computer, and was helped in collecting the payments by guards at the prison.

The case was raised on Friday at a semiannual meeting of chief wardens from across the country, where the chief of the General Department of Prisons, Chan Kim Seng, criticised Prey Veng Provincial Prison Director Chuon Sarim, Keo said.

“He said a lot about the case in Prey Veng prison and took it as an example,” Keo said. “He said there were repeated cases in this prison and he asked the chief to explain the case.”

Speaking last week, Sarim blamed “loopholes” for the case, and said guards implicated were still working. The director of operations at the Prisons Department, Be Tea Leng, yesterday said guards at the facility were too close to inmates.

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

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • 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

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024

    The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.