A prominent real estate businessman was convicted of shooting a young couple during a dispute inside a Phnom Penh home, sentenced to 31 years in prison and ordered to pay US$2.5 million, court officials announced.
The shooting in June outraged Cambodians on social media, many of whom expressed their doubts in online comments that the businessman would be held accountable by a legal system widely viewed as corrupt.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday convicted Srey Sina, 51, on charges of murder, attempted murder, illegal use of weapons and residential trespass. The $2.5 million in compensation will go to the relatives of the deceased and the injured victims, the court said.
Srey Sina had held the title of oknha -– bestowed on Cambodians involved in business –- until a long-running dispute at a rental property erupted into the shooting, which left Long Lysong, 27, and his fiancee Khin Kanchana, 26, dead and two young men wounded.
Two security videos viewed by Radio Free Asia showed Srey Sina shoot the couple and then scramble around two tables with a handgun stretched before him as the two young men dove under the tables to avoid him.
Srey Sina fled the scene and was later arrested in neighboring Kandal province. He told police he shot the young couple with a handgun after Long Lysong used abusive language toward him.
Influence and money
On Facebook in June, Cambodians expressed worries that he would use his influence and money to gain his release from jail.
Several top government officials made sympathetic public statements and sought to assure Cambodians that justice would be vigorously pursued, while King Norodom Sihanmoni issued a decree stripping Srey Sina of the oknha title.
On Monday, Cambodians on social media were supportive of the sentence. Youth political activist Thu Vakhim said authorities should also investigate how Srey Sina was able to obtain a gun.
RELATED STORIES
Minister defends charges against tycoon in shooting of Cambodian couple
Shooting that left young couple dead angers Cambodians on social media
Cambodian law prohibits the use, purchase and lending of firearms to civilians. The use of firearms is permitted only by the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of National Defense.
“This is a major problem for Cambodia,” said Sok Sal, a Cambodian worker in Thailand who spoke to RFA about Monday’s verdict. “If we don’t control illegal weapons, we will have more problems.”
RFA was unable to reach court spokesman Y Rin for further comment on Tuesday.
Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.