According to information received by the Asian Human Rights Commission, a senior police officer in Cambodia has arrested his son for allegedly shooting a rival student in the leg. Khou Sunnary, provincial police finance bureau chief in Kratie, arrested his son, 20-year-old Khou Sovandeth and his 19-year-old friend Yiv Rothya in Chhlong district on November 17 after they had fled the scene of the shooting at Queen Preah Kossamak High School. Khou Sovandeth had stolen a revolver from his parents’ safe, which he used to shoot fellow student Srun Sophal, 20, at around 8am that day. Khou Sunnary reportedly took his son into custody and handed him over to other officers that evening, as well as agreeing to compensate the victim, who was hit in the leg, including paying for his medical treatment. The two accused were meanwhile held in custody on a charge of attempted murder.
The case is exceptional, because every year thousands of criminal acts are committed by the relatives of police and government officers–especially senior officers–with their protection and oftentimes collusion. By arresting his own son, Khou Sannary has set a remarkable example for all officials in Cambodia, including the prime minister, whose nephew is alleged to have killed at least four persons on the street in October 2003. After being detained briefly, Nhim Sophea was cleared of wrongdoing.
The Asian Human Rights Commission praises the police officer who dared to arrest his own son and submit him to due process. It calls upon all officials, without regard to their rank or authority, to follow his example and uphold, rather than undermine, the country’s laws. It also calls upon the Kratie provincial court to ensure that the trial of Khou Sovandeth and Yiv Rothya is held promptly and conducted with the highest integrity, to see that principles of justice and human rights are fully maintained, and thereby set a further example for the state officers in the rest of the country to follow.
