Fifth suspect arrested in Siem Reap kidnapping case

Written by Chrann Chamroeun and Cheang Sokha

Wednesday, 11 March 2009 Phnom Penh Post

Suspect arrested by military police after fleeing to the capital with ransom paid for return of military chief's daughter. Photo by: PHOTO SUPPLIED One of the Siem Reap kidnappers shown in a handout photo. A FIFTH suspect has been arrested in the kidnapping of a high-ranking military commander's daughter in Siem Reap last Friday, said local officials. Siem Reap Governor Sou Phirin told the Post the man was arrested in Phnom Penh and had confessed to collecting the ransom before fleeing to the capital. Sou Phirin declined to say whether any of the ransom money had been recovered. "The police are still looking to arrest more suspects behind this kidnapping. The people behind this are part of a network of family members, but once they are arrested security will improve," Sou Phirin said. Morn Chakriya, the 16-year-old daughter of Siem Reap's Military Police Commander Morn Samon, was kidnapped off the street on Friday afternoon and bundled into a car. The high school student was released on Saturday night after private negotiations between her parents and the kidnappers. Four other suspects were arrested on Sunday and Monday in Siem Reap, Battambang and Phnom Penh. Prak Chan Thoeun, the deputy commander of the Military Police in Siem Reap, said the suspect arrested in Phnom Penh on Monday night had not yet been sent to Siem Reap. "We are questioning the four suspects and will send them to court," he said Tuesday. "Our forces are investigating and looking for more conspirators, but I cannot comment in detail as this work is confidential." Phnom Penh's chief of Municipal Police, Touch Naruth, said the latest suspect was arrested by national Military Police officials. National Military Police head Sao Sokha declined to comment Tuesday.