Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Embattled Adhoc staff appear at Appeal Court

Embattled Adhoc staff appear at Appeal Court

Authorities attempt to prevent reporters from speaking to jailed Adhoc staffer Lim Mony at the Appeal Court yesterday.
Authorities attempt to prevent reporters from speaking to jailed Adhoc staffer Lim Mony at the Appeal Court yesterday. Heng Chivoan

Embattled Adhoc staff appear at Appeal Court

The Appeal Court yesterday heard a motion from four jailed Adhoc staffers who are challenging their months-long detention on allegations pertaining to a sex scandal surrounding opposition acting president Kem Sokha, with the court expected to rule on the motion on Friday.

The four jailed rights workers – Yi Soksan, Lim Mony, Ny Sokha and Nay Vanda – have been in pre-trial detention since early May, when they were accused of bribing Sokha’s alleged mistress, Khom Chandaraty, to lie to the court.

Charged as an accomplice in the same case, National Election Committee official Ny Chakrya filed a similar motion to the Appeal Court last week, only to have it dismissed, with presiding judge Nguon Ratana ruling that Chakrya’s rights had not been violated.

The four Adhoc officials’ lawyer, Huon Chundy, said their case should be dismissed because their detentions violated the laws on police custody – specifically that a suspect can only be held for 48 hours before being forwarded to the court.

The police’s accounting of “their detention did not start [the minute] they walked into the ACU, in violation of Article 96 of the Criminal Procedures Code”, Chundy said, maintaining that the questioning elapsed the 48-hour mark. Their case, he added, should be annulled due to non-compliance.

On leaving court, Vanda said it was Chandaraty who had changed her story but the Adhoc staffers were being punished, while Mony said she held out no hope for a reprieve.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • PM urges end to ‘baseless’ international Ream base accusations

    Prime Minister Hun Sen urges an end to “baseless” foreign accusations surrounding the development of the Kingdom’s Ream Naval Base, as the US has consistently suggested that the base is being expanded to accommodate a Chinese military presence. Hun Sen renewed his calls while

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the