The Mondulkiri Provincial Court on February 8 charged six suspects with the brutal murder of five victims and the serious injury of another in Me Pai village of Pech Chreada district’s Pou Chrei commune.
Provincial court spokesman Seav Ngy Chhean identified the suspects as Kloeng Chanthy, 40; Chanthy Mpeak, 18; Chanthy Pchoeurt, 14; Nuon Vanna, 54; Rim Khin, 18; and Rim Thea, 27. They were questioned by deputy prosecutor Meas Vathana and referred to the investigating judge for further proceedings.
“After the six suspects had been questioned, Vathana decided to charge Mpeak, Pchoeurt, Khin and Thea with premeditated murder under Article 200 of the Criminal Code, while Chanthy and Vanna face the additional charge of aiding and abetting in premeditated murder under Article 28 of the Criminal code,” Chhean said.
The six suspects face up to life in prison if found guilty.
Court spokesman Meas Bros later told The Post that the six suspects were currently being investigated by the investigating judge.
“At this moment, the case and the six suspects are being examined and questioned by Investigating Judge Nhean Sovann,” he said.
“Owing to only having a short time frame to pursue his questioning, the judge has now ordered the suspects remanded into the custody of the provincial police. They will be returned to court to face further questioning tomorrow morning,” he added.
On February 1, the brutal murder of a Bunong indigenous family took place. Five were slain, and a 12-year-old boy was hospitalised for intensive care.
Provincial deputy police chief So Sovann said the condition of the survivor has improved and he is recovering in a Phnom Penh hospital.
