Phnom Penh Post
People march to mark
the nine-year anniversary of unionist Chea Vichea’s murder in Phnom
Penh, Tuesday, Jan. 22, 2013. Photograph: Sreng Meng Srun/Phnom Penh
Post
On the nine-year anniversary of the murder of unionist Chea Vichea,
his brother yesterday renewed calls for the release of two men convicted
for the crime.
“They are not the real murderers,” Free Trade Union President Chea
Mony told some 100 supporters who gathered yesterday morning in front of
the Wat Langka newsstands where Vichea was shot. “I call on the court
to release Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun soon.”
Arrested just days after the outspoken activist’s murder, both men
have long maintained their innocence, and it is widely believed the pair
was framed for the crime.
Last month, in a surprise announcement, the Appeal Court upheld
Samnang’s and Sam Oeun’s murder convictions and ordered their re-arrest.
Both had been out of prison since early 2009, after the Supreme Court
provisionally released them and ordered a reinvestigation.
They are now serving out the remainder of 20-year sentences, and a new set of appeals is pending.
Speaking to a swelling crowd flanked by some 20 police and military
police, Mony said he would soon be withdrawing his nine-year-old court
complaint.
“We filed the complaint to court seeking justice, but we get
injustice; I’m a victim, Samnang and Sam Oeun are victims. So I should
withdraw my complaint that won’t connect with the corrupt court
anymore,” he said.
In a joint statement issued yesterday by the Cambodian Confederation of Unions, the court verdict is labelled a “fiction”.
“The Cambodian authorities and court are making a fiction for the
national and international community, as Samnang and Sam Oeun were
arrested a second time, instead of the real murderers who shot Chea
Vichea.”
To contact the reporter on this story: Kim Yuthana at
yuthana.kim@phnompenhpost.com
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