The Ratanakkiri prison director accused of a litany of crimes by his underlings has fired back, denying their reports and accusing them of drug-taking, laziness and running illegal timber businesses.

A four-page complaint signed this month by 32 staff from the Ratanakkiri Provincial Prison accused its director, Tin Sovanny, of using the prison for his own benefit by charging prisoners for electricity, using inmates as cleaners, and even paying a female inmate for sex.

Responding to the complaint, three officials from the general department of prisons and two from Ratanakkiri Provincial Hall have been sent to investigate the case and have begun questioning the accusers one by one.

Meanwhile, Sovanny has categorically denied the allegations and said his employees were the corrupt ones.

“In fact, they are inactive and when we punish them and warn them about this, they get angry and do not work,” he said, fingering other senior prison staff.

“They secretly got thumbprints from house to house from the workers, contrary to the law. These officials are not punctual, and some trafficked timber illegally for one year without ever coming to work.”

Sovanny said he had worked hard to improve the prison.

“I have put in many efforts to build the prison compound, since there are no trails, bathrooms or a flag inside,” he said.

“I asked the court and the provincial hall to help with cement and zinc for the building.”

Nut Savana, spokesman of the general department of prisons, said the investigation would end on Wednesday, and declined to provide information while it was still ongoing.