Phnom Penh Court Orders Traffic Accident Perpetrator to Turn In
Justice Ministry Spokesperson Chin Malin said an arrest warrant was issued on Dec. 19, providing the police with the power to bring the suspect to the prosecutor's office in case he refuses to hand himself in before Jan. 9, 2024. Photo: Chin Malin / Facebook
- By Lay Sopheavotey
- and Teng Yalirozy
- December 19, 2023 9:00 PM
PHNOM PENH – The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has ordered the suspect of a deadly car accident to turn himself in after a wave of criticism rose on social media, demanding justice for the victim. Rights group calls for fair and equal application of law.
On Dec. 14, a Jeep Overland hit and killed a man on a motorcycle in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district. Authorities found that the car belonged to Sok Lina, the spouse of well-known lawyer Prum Vichetsophea. But it is suspected the driver at the time of the accident was their son, Prum Vichetsosakda.
The victim Lee Kimhong was married and had two children. He is the official at the Ministry of Finance and Economy.
The perpetrator’s family tried to give $1,000 to the victim’s family in a move to solve the case outside the court and requested the withdrawal of the complaint. But the victim’s family refused the offer, arguing they wanted justice, and not only money, for their loss.
Justice Ministry Spokesperson Chin Malin said an arrest warrant was issued on Dec. 19, providing the police with the power to bring the suspect to the prosecutor's office in case he refuses to hand himself in before Jan. 9, 2024.
While out-of-court resolutions are common in Cambodia, even in cases of fatal traffic accidents, it doesn’t help bring justice to the victims and their families.
But public outrage that rose on social media following this accident pushed Justice Minister Keut Rith to order the Phnom Penh Municipal Prosecutor to investigate and resolve the matter according to the law.
The suspect should face legal action if the court finds he’s responsible for the accident, he said.
Am Sam Ath, operation director of the right group LICADHO, said irresponsible driving created some sort of impunity in society which led to a broader feeling of escaping one’s legal responsibility.
“It reflects immorality and the detrimental culture of partisanship in the Cambodian society,” he said.
He further explained that both sides can resolve the problems as long as it is a petty offense with minor damage and without a fatality. However, with injury and damage, the perpetrators must confront legal action according to the law.
Sam Ath said legal action should be imposed on the perpetrators of the previous cases with a statute of limitations.
“It all starts with us,” he said. “We should obey the law and all together eliminate impunity and partisanship. The persons must be responsible for their criminal offense.”
