Hun Sen's cousin on trial for corruption

Lawyer Kao Ty with his client, Mrs. Hourt Sarom.

By Khmerization
Source: RFA

The Phnom Penh Court has on Thursday conducted a trial of Seng Yean, who is a senior Cambodian government official, and Dy Prim, who is a cousin of Prime Minister Hun Sen, for corruption involving the bribery of $US200,000. Judge Duch Kimsorn, said the verdict will be announced on 30th May.

Seng Yean, Director-General of the Inspectorate of National Assembly and Senate Relations, was sacked by Prime Minister Hun Sen on 30th July 2009 after the government found out that he received $200,000 in bribes from businesswoman Dy Prim, who is Mr. Hun Sen's cousin, to fake reports to the government from 2008-2009. The fake reports resulted in the confiscation of 5 hectares of land worth $7 million from a poor farmer named Hourt Sarom.

Mr. Morm Sitha, president of the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission, said not only the poor farmers, but the government has also become the victim of corruption.

This is the fourth time that the pair had appeared before the court, stemming from a lawsuit filed by Mrs. Sor Kim Sour, who is Minister of Inspectorate of National Assembly and Senate Relations, charging them of corruption and asked the court to fine Mr. Seng Yean and Dy Prim $5,000 for their offences. Mrs. Dy Prim has been released from detention in January after Prime Minister Hun Sen had intervened.

Mr. Long Norin, lawyer for the Minister of Inspectorate of National Assembly and Senate Relations, said he has the confidence in the court. However, Mr. Khieu Sophal, lawyer for Mr. Seng Yean, said there is no evidence against his client. "The evidence is just a piece of paper, so I dismiss it and ask the court to dismiss the case", he said.

Mr. Chiv Kheng, lawyer for Mrs. Dy Prim, has also asked the court to drop the charge against his client, saying the documents presented are photocopies and therefore cannot be used as evidences.

Seng Yean is charged under article 38 of UNTAC Penal Code for taking bribes. Mrs. Dy Prim, who is a cousin of Prime Minister Hun Sen, has been charged under article 58 of that penal code for paying bribes.