Maltey prosecutor pleads for reduced sentence
Fri, 29 January 2016 ppp
Mech Dara and Shaun Turton
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Former president of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court Ang Maltey tries to
hide his face as he is escorted into Kandal provincial Court yesterday. Pha Lina |
The man charged with prosecuting former Phnom Penh Municipal Court president Ang Maltey yesterday spent the lion’s share of his speaking time lobbying the court to reduce the disgraced judge’s embezzlement charge to a lesser offence, citing his years of loyal service to Cambodia.
The request by Kandal provincial deputy prosecutor Ek Sun Reaskmey came during the first and only day of Maltey’s trial at Kandal Provincial Court, which is examining accusations he granted bail to police officer-turned-drug trafficker Thav Thavy in exchange for an Audi SUV, which he then allegedly gave to his son.
Sun Reaskmey argued that Maltey’s removal as municipal court judge was already a form of punishment and should be taken into account in asking presiding judge Nguon Vuthy to downgrade the disgraced official’s embezzlement charge to ones dealing with “unlawful exploitation”.
The move would halve his potential jail term from a maximum of 10 years to a maximum five-year term.
“I request the presiding judge to change the charge . . . because [Maltey] has already had an administrative punishment by being removed as the director of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and he has served the nation for 32 years,” said Sun Reaskmey, who also noted the defendant’s ill-health.
“There is no document to show that he has intentionally destroyed or embezzled, or that shows the car belongs to him; the car still has the same white colour and is in same condition, there is no destruction.”