PRESSURE is mounting on Sam Rainsy over the murder of Hun Sen's brother-in-law, as
police claim that a court summons may be issued for the Khmer Nation Party (KNP)
president.
Also, in a thinly-veiled reference to Rainsy, Hun Sen vowed that he will not allow
the mastermind behind the killing to go unpunished.
KNP's security chief Srun Vong Vannak has been held more than a month in a city prison
in connection with Samuth's murder.
Police sources said Municipal Court officials have considered issuing a summons to
question Rainsy after they listened to tape-recorded confessions of Vannak, in which
he allegedly mentioned the KNP leader. But court officials would not confirm their
interest in talking to Rainsy, and no direct evidence against the KNP president has
been made public.
Human rights group Amnesty International has condemned Vannak's detention as illegal,
and Phnom Penh human rights workers suggest that a case is being manufactured against
Rainsy for political reasons.
According to police, Vannak and two other suspects have confessed.
Hun Sen said he would forgive the gunman, but not the mastermind who paid for the
murder.
"I will pursue this case even if it has to go to the heavenly world. I won't
let you go free," he said Mar 14.
Rainsy has charged that police used torture to extort confessions from Vannak and,
during a Mar 12 demonstration, demanded that the latter be released. He also wrote
a letter asking intervention from King Norodom Sihanouk who, in his March 11 reply,
referred the matter to Justice Minister Chem Snguon.
Investigating Judge Ya Sakhan was not available for comment on any action against
Rainsy, who is currently in Australia.
"This is a complete distortion, to frame Rainsy," KNP secretary-general
Khieu Rada said.
Meanwhile, Prince Norodom Ranariddh who heads the National United Front, which KNP
is part of, said that handling of the matter must follow proper judicial procedure.
But he refused special support for his ally, saying that he could only defend Rainsy
as a simple citizen.
Contact PhnomPenh Post for full article
Post Media Co LtdThe Elements Condominium, Level 7
Hun Sen Boulevard
Phum Tuol Roka III
Sangkat Chak Angre Krom, Khan Meanchey
12353 Phnom Penh
Cambodia
Telegram: 092 555 741
Email: [email protected]