PM’s Brother Wants Sex Case Dropped

[shizzle]

Linky

PM’s Brother Wants Sex Case Dropped

The brother of Cambodian Prime Minister HE has requested a court official to drop a sexual harassment suit against two of his friends, drawing condemnation from rights groups.

HE’s older brother Hun San made the request in a letter to Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court Chief Prosecutor Phann Vanrath, a copy of which was seen by RFA. The prosecutor’s office confirmed with RFA that it had received the letter on Friday.

In the letter dated Dec. 3, 2011, Hun San, who is the director of an agency under the Ministry of Public Works and Transportation, calls the harassment claim against Cambodian Mine Action Center official Oum Socheat and businessman Thang Pisith “groundless.”

“Please forgive me that I can’t meet you in person,” reads the letter by Hun San, who is the director of the Kampuchea Shipping Agency & Brokers Department.

“I would like to request that you, brother prosecutor, please help intervene and aid Oum Socheat and Thong Pisith to put an end to the Nov. 13, 2011 accusation made by a waitress in a Stung Treng restaurant.”

Hun San questioned the accusation against the two middle-aged men, who allegedly verbally harassed and groped 25-year-old Hy Theavy while she served them, saying they would not have done so with others present at the table.

“As mentioned above, I ask that the prosecutor please intervene and drop the case. I hope that the prosecutor will help in ending the suit.”

Prosecutor Phann Vanrath confirmed to RFA that he had received the letter, but said it would not influence his decision on the case. He added that the court is investigating the matter and expects to issue a ruling in March.

“Both sides have their lawyers. The lawyers have asked for copies of the [victims] lawsuit,” Phann Vanrath said.

“I don’t know who leaked the letter, but we [the court] didn’t leak it. To do so would be against the court confidentiality code of ethics,” he said.

“I don’t bend to outside influence. I would quit my work [if that was a problem],” he said.

Potential influence

Cambodian rights group Adhoc’s Chief Investigator Ny Chakriya said he had also seen the letter, but refused to identify the source of the leak for security reasons.

He added that the letter may have already influenced the court’s decision.

“Based on the prosecutor’s statement in which he claims the letter did not influence him, Adhoc will continue to monitor the case,” he said.

“We will see via the court’s decision whether the judge can act without interference.”

Meanwhile, accuser Hy Theavy stood by her complaint of harassment, adding that if the suspects hadn’t committed any crimes then they would not have had to ask for help from the prime minister’s brother.

“Why did Hun San dare to say that Oum Socheat and Thong Pisith didn’t abuse me and decide to write a letter to the court’s prosecutor to drop my case?” she asked.

Hy Theavy said that she now fears for her personal safety.

“Is Cambodian law truly for both the rich and the poor?”

[angsta]

“Is Cambodian law truly for both the rich and the poor?”

Of course not, what a stupid idea.

[Dutchie]

The way things here work in regards to high and allmighty,I would be worried about my personal safety as well.

Hy Theavy said that she now fears for her personal safety.

[cambod]

Good for her, for continuing her case. I'm worried for her too..

[violet]

bumping it up so that the Eyes out there know we are aware, and in the hope that goons will lay off silencing Hy Theavy.

[vladimir]

“Is Cambodian law truly for both the rich and the poor?”

Is the law in any country for both the rich and poor? I don't think it's along list. Even if they have equal access, the one with the most cash usually gets the smartest attorney/ best deal.

[Lucky Lucan]

Is the law in any country for both the rich and poor?

To an extent, but it's more black and white here than in most other places. Imagine the scandal if a western PM's brother tried to get a sexual harassment case dropped.

[vladimir]

Italy? I don't know if it happened, but with Berlusconi in charge, anything is (was) possible.
Kennedy's larks?
Maybe we just never heard about efforts to quash cases, or maybe they never made it to court.