The Ministry of Justice on Thursday suspended Ratanakkiri Provincial Court prosecutor Chea Pich after he was implicated in a sex scandal.

Justice ministry secretary of state and spokesman Chin Malin told The Post on Sunday that Pich is being sued by his wife Hean Leakhena, who filed a complaint at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on February 25, accusing him of adultery.

“In principle, when an official is involved in a court case, we suspend them for a while until legal proceedings are completed. So this is just a temporary suspension, not a punishment or removal from his position,” he said.

The ministry on Thursday appointed Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor Ngin Pich as acting prosecutor for Ratanakikri.

Malin said if Pich is found not guilty, he will be reinstated as a prosecutor. But if he is found guilty, Malin said, he will be subject to legal punishments under the law and will also face administrative measures including dismissal.

According to a letter signed by Minister of Justice Ang Vong Vathana and seen by The Post on Sunday, the municipal court informed the ministry of the lawsuit on Wednesday.

The letter said Pich had allegedly committed the offences in Ratanakkiri and Phnom Penh between 2017 and this year.

Pich could not be reached for comment on Sunday.

A day before his suspension, Koh Kong Provincial Court deputy prosecutor Orng Ry was also temporarily transferred to the Ministry of Justice after being implicated in a similar sex scandal.