Two suspects arrested for Chea Vichea murder should be released
Published on 12 February 2004; Cambodia Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC)
The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC), a coalition of 17 local NGOs, appeals for the release of Born Sam Nang and Sok Sam Oeun, who were arrested and detained for the January 22 murder of union leader Chea Vichea. CHRAC believes there is inadequate evidence against the suspects and their arrests did not follow lawful procedures.
CHRAC believes that the arrests were illegal because they were carried out without an arrest warrant and without credible evidence against the suspects, violating article 38 of the Cambodian Constitution; articles 35, 19, and 22 of the Transitional Criminal Law; articles 35 and 47 of the Cambodian Criminal Procedure Law; and articles 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
According to witnesses, Born Sam Nang, aged 23, was staying with his girlfriend at village 6, Prek Ksay commune, Peamro district, Prey Veng province at the time of the murder. According to the witnesses, Born Sam Nang spent Chinese New Year in the village and remained there until January 28 when he was arrested by police without a warrant at 1:30am. This information was later repeated by Born Sam Nang during a police press conference on January 29 in Phnom Penh.
CHRAC has found no credible evidence linking the two suspects to Chea Vichea’s murder.
CHRAC has also received information about threats to several witnesses who provided information to human rights workers or journalists about the whereabouts of the two suspects at the time of the crime or other information about the murder.
To ensure fair and proper treatment of the two suspects, CHRAC appeals to the court to release the two suspects because their arrests were unlawful and there is no credible evidence to place them at the scene of the crime. CHRAC urges the law enforcement authorities to conduct a professional and transparent investigation to bring Chea Vichea’s killers and their accomplices to justice, and to ensure the safety of all witnesses and their families.
For more information, please contact:
▪ Dr. Kek Galabru, President of LICADHO at 012 940 645
▪ Mr. Sok Sam Oeun, Executive Director of CDP at 012 901 199
▪ Mr. Ny Chakriya, Chief of Monitoring section of ADHOC, Tel: 012 920 730
