Cambodia: lawyer charged with aiding the escape of client

Wednesday, 4 January 2012,
Press Release: Asian Human Rights Commission

Cambodia: A lawyer has been charged with aiding the escape of his client who is an opposition party activist

On 29 December 2011, Mr Choung Chou-Ngy was charged under Article 565 of the 2009 Criminal Code of the Kingdom of Cambodia (the "Penal Code") -- "Provision of Means for Escape". This charge has been brought in response to the release of Mr Choung Chou-Ngy's client, Mr Meas Peng, deputy chief of Banteay Dek commune in Kandal province's Kien Svay district, from prison on 23 September 2011.

The Cambodia Daily reported that the Kandal provincial court found that Mr Choung Chou-Ngy's actions in helping his client to be released from prison were not in accordance with the laws of his profession, and that they in fact constituted helping his client to escape -- a penal offense. The Kandal provincial court has since confirmed that Mr Choung Chou-Ngy has been charged.