The Appeal Court has summonsed the widow of slain political commentator Kem Ley to appear for an appeal hearing on April 3 in the case of her husband’s murderer, Oeut Ang.
Ang, who went by the moniker “Choub Samlab”, or “meet to kill”, shot Kem Ley point blank at a Phnom Penh petrol station in 2016, allegedly over a $3,000 unpaid debt. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in March 2017, but his motives raised questions and even authorities suggested he did not act alone, leading many to believe the killing was politically motivated.
The Appeal Court has summonsed Bou Rachana, Ley’s widow, as the civil party complainant, according to a March 14 letter signed by Prosecutor Hoeng Bunchea – though Rachana has said she never filed the claim. According to the summons, she could face legal action if she does not appear.
“Failing to appear for the hearing, refusing to give information as a witness or giving false information will be punished according to law,” the summons reads. Rachana is in Australia after being granted asylum along with her children.
Appeal Court spokesman Touch Tharith only confirmed the authenticity of the document and appeal hearing date.
While Rachana could not be reached on Thursday, she reiterated on Facebook that she had not filed a complaint and had little faith that the court would find the people behind her husband’s murder. “I know clearly that the courts in Phnom Penh do not have the ability to arrest the real killers and to find justice for me,” she wrote.
