A prison inmate died mysteriously still chained to his prison bed

Body of 16 year-old Sam Phearun wheeled out of hospital with ankles still chained to his prison bed (inset).

By Khmerization
Source: CEN

A 16 years old prison inmate from Kampot province has died mysteriously with ankles still chained to his prison bed when he was taken to the hospital, reports Cambodian Express News.

Sam Phearun was sentenced to 30 months for robbery, but died mysteriously 23 months into his sentence. According to prison ward, Sam Phearun died at the hospital after he was admitted for stomach pains at 9:30 pm on 28th July. However, hospital staff said that he had already died when he got to the hospital.

There are reports of inconsistencies in the police version surrounding his death. Police asked journalists and human rights officials not to make any reports and also prevented them from taking photos of the dead inmate.

According to the photo (inset) and journalists present at the hospital, the ankles of the inmate were still chained to his prison bed when his body was wheeled out of the hospital to the waiting ambulance.

Last week, human rights groups reported that the number of prison deaths in Cambodia has increased significantly this year.