The Kampong Speu Provincial Court has charged Samrong Tong deputy police chief Kang Pheary and six other police officers of owning and using illegal weapons.

The officers are being detained temporarily at the Kampong Speu provincial prison, investigating judge Tith Dalin said on Wednesday.

Pheary and the others were taken into custody on charges they fired 10 rounds on the grounds of the Samrong Tong district court on August 19 while in a state of drunkenness.

ACNCIPO head Chea Hean, who has been observing the case, said there used to be people to intervene and release them.

“If anyone requests to release the officers or request they remain free on bail, I will conduct an investigation related to corruption. Meanwhile, the prosecutor has already charged and detained them,” he said.

Kampong Speu provincial police chief Sam Samoun said Pheary and another officer, Kan Saoly, are the owners of the weapons.

Rights group Adhoc spokesman Soeng Sen Karuna, said a further investigation should be carried out on all officials in the Kingdom.

“We want an investigation on illegal weapons used by officials. If the weapons belong to their units, we can check and identify them. However, these officials bought those weapons to use for themselves and this is a dangerous thing,” he stressed.