Acid Attacker to Be At Large

Phnom Penh Municipal Court on August 31, 2009 dropped its charge on Mrs. Chea Ratha, former military police chief and her 6 subordinates for the acid attack on In Solida’s aunt, Ms. Ya Soknim, 39 years old, on May 26, 2008. The hearing was under the presents of 3 judges- Den Sivutha, Sen Visal and Sem Sakola dropped the case due to the lack of evidence to charge Chea Ratha and the 6 men.

In April 2008, Solidy broke up with Chea Ratha and went into hiding fearing revenge Ratha for ending the relationship. After that Chea Ratha threatened Solida’s family of spilling blood.

On the morning of May 8, 2008, two men drove a motorbike up to Soknim and poured acid on her face and upper body.

During the investigation of more than one year, the court received a strong document of evidence involving Chea Ratha and her associates to the crime; such as taped audio records of phone calls, phone logs of Chea Ratha and her associates on the day of the attack and a report confirming that acid was found in the house of one of Chea Ratha’s associates. Although having such evidences, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court declared the suspects not guilty.