Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Ranger arrested for shooting in Jolie-Pitt Foundation area

Ranger arrested for shooting in Jolie-Pitt Foundation area

An environmental ranger and a community member have been charged over allegedly firing at Duch Thy (pictured), 58, when he refused to stop after being spotted hauling timber inside a protected area supported by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation. Photo supplied
An environmental ranger and a community member have been charged over allegedly firing at Duch Thy (pictured), 58, when he refused to stop after being spotted hauling timber inside a protected area supported by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation. Photo supplied

Ranger arrested for shooting in Jolie-Pitt Foundation area

An environmental ranger and a community forest member on Tuesday were released from prison under court supervision following their brief detention after allegedly firing at a suspect hauling timber within a protected area supported by the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation in Battambang province.

The Ministry of Environment ranger, Sok Toeut, 43, and the forest community member, Dieb Somuntha, 60, were patrolling the Samlot protected area on Friday when they spotted a tractor loaded with wood and ordered the driver to stop. When he refused, Somuntha allegedly shot at him.

Toeut is employed by the ministry but also receives part of his salary from the foundation, founded by Angelina Jolie to promote conservation in Cambodia’s northwest. Somuntha also receives a small salary from the organisation to patrol.

Oun Fai, chief of the crime office with the Battambang Provincial Police, said the man transporting the wood, Duch Thy, 58, filed a complaint to police, which led to the arrest of Toeut, Somuntha and two other rangers, who were released shortly afterwards on Sunday.

Fai claimed after Thy refused to stop, Somuntha became angry and took Toeut’s AK-47 rifle and fired at the tractor.

“[Thy] had a chainsaw, [and was] driving a tractor to look for wood at the protected area,” he said. “He got some wood to make charcoal. They saw him and fired to flatten the tyres of the tractor hauling the wood.”

Both sides committed a crime, he acknowledged, though Thy was not arrested.

Toeut was charged with “carelessness” in handling his weapon under Article 21 of the Law on the Management of Weapons, Explosives and Ammunition, which carries a maximum two-year prison sentence. Somuntha was charged with “intentionally causing damage” based on Article 410 of the Criminal Code, which also carries a maximum two-year prison term.

Thy, meanwhile, was charged with clearing forestland under Article 59 of the Protected Areas Law, though he remains free.

“He used a chainsaw and drove a tractor into the prohibited forest, which is a protected area. Therefore, he is also guilty,” Fai said. “However, the court will make a decision to arrest or not.”

Tieng Sambou, spokeswoman for the provincial court, said Investigating Judge Ly Sokha decided to release the duo under court supervision after questioning them on Tuesday. Sambou wasn’t able to provide further comment.
Kong Mony Chan, director of the Maddox Jolie-Pitt Foundation, declined to comment on the case.

MOST VIEWED

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom

  • PM warns of int’l election interference

    With the national election scheduled to take place in less than two months, Prime Minister Hun Sen has warned foreign nations and their diplomats not to interfere into Cambodia’s domestic affairs. He also hinted that their statements on court verdicts handed down to any