Acid Victim’s Family Appealed for Justice Ignored

After the final verdict of Phnom Penh Municipal Court on August 31, 2009 by three judges- Den Sivutha, Sen Visal and Sem Sakola decided to drop charges against Mrs. Chea Ratha, 44, the former high-ranking military police officer and her 6 other associates in a brutal acid attack thanks to not enough evidence. However, the victim’s family still continued to appeal against the verdict.

On November 7, 2009 Mrs. Ya Soknim, the victim of the act, said that she had lodged the complaint to Appeal Court. She asserted that the decision of Phnom Penh Municipal Court had not provided her with fairness and justice at all. On September 6, 2009, Mr. Uang Vibol, 42, the victim’s husband also wrote a letter to the President of Human Rights Committee of the Executive Body for the intervention of the case.

Based on the lawsuit, the Appeal Court firstly decided to hear on October 28, 2009; but it was delayed to take action on November 6. For this reason, Mr. Choun Sokleng , the vice president of the court said, as quoted by the Cambodia Daily News, published on October 29, that the court’s schedule was too full, adding that there was nothing to be charged for Chea Ratha’s case. At the same time, it was reported that Chea Ratha was not present in Cambodia. She was believed to stay somewhere in Thailand. Whereas the victim’s family went into hiding for safety.

Once again the appeal court declared to postpone the hearing on November 6, without clear reason. It would be held on 27 November instead.

When November 27 reached, the hearing was under the present of Judge Seng Sivutha, 46. In overturning the Phnom Penh Municpal Court decision, he announced former military police Brigader General Chea Ratha, 44, order the May 2008 attack on Ya Soknim out of jealousy afer Ms. Soknim’s niece, model and actress In Solida, fled a forced relationship with Ms. Chea Ratha.

Ms. Chea Ratha, Meas Mao, 40, and Seak Chandy, 27 were each tried in absentia to 18 years in prison for violation of individual’s rights and attempted killing with premeditation. Ea Puthea, 33, Saing Savuth, 29, and Seak Sophal, 25 were each sentenced in absentia to 15 years in jail for the crime of conspiracy.

The six, all of whom were at large from the law, were ordered to together pay $100,000 compensation to Ms. Ya Soknim.

Judge Sivutha said more than enough evidence existed to prove that Ms. Ratha acted as the ringleader in the attack that Mr. Mao poured around one liter of acid on Mr. Soknim, and that Mr. Chandy acted as the getaway driver, whereas the other three implemented as accomplices in organizing the attack and ascertaining the victim’s whereabouts.

The judge added that the two witnesses’ reports were the same as the victim’s admission, and indicated Meas Mao was the attacker. Meas Mao and Seak Chandy carried out the crime, and without the order from Chea Ratha they would not have had motivation and reason to commit it.

The court upheld the acquittal of Chan Dar, 34, finding that he merely worked in Ms. Chea Rath’s home without having any involvement to the brutal attack on Ms. Soknim.

Since the verdict, the perpetrators have not been arrested and sent to jail yet. Duputy National Police chief and director of the ministry’s Central Security Department Sok Phal said he believed Ms. Chea Ratha is somewhere in Thailand, based on telephone calls she has made to associates and family members in Cambodia. He said incoming calls from Ms. Ratha have included the numerical prefix 66, which designates a Thai phone number.