“Punishment” for Police Officer who Threatened Restaurant Owner with Gun

In a video widely circulated on social media, Thlang Phinra, chief of the Counter-terrorism Bureau of the Ministry of Interior, was seen holding his gun at Angkor Chum restaurant in Tuol Kork District.
  • Lay Sopheavatey and Torn Chanritheara
  • September 23, 2020 1:03 PM

National Police Spokesperson stated that an officer who drew his weapon in a dispute with a restaurant owner in Phnom Penh will be punished, but did not give details.



PHNOM PENH--National Police Spokesperson Chhay Kim Khouen stated on Sept. 23 that the police officer who used his gun to threaten the owner of restaurant in Tuol Kork District, Phnom Penh will be punished.



In a video widely circulated on social media, Thlang Phinra, chief of the Counter-terrorism Bureau of the Ministry of Interior, was seen holding his gun at Angkor Chum restaurant in Tuol Kork District. According to a complaint letter shared on Facebook, the incident occurred on Sept. 20.



In the letter, Chuy Sok Heng—the restaurant’s owner—filed a complaint to the Ministry of Interior, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and the Bar Association, apparently seeking $100,000 in compensation and demanding Phinra be punished.



Lieutenant General Chhay Kim Khouen, spokesman of National Police said that the competent authorities will summon Phinra for questioning related to the event and that he will be punished for his action.



“After that, for whatever reason, he will be punished,” explained Kim Khouen. “He has the right to use weapons, but he used it at the wrong time and violated the discipline [of the police], so must ultimately be punished and the level of punishment depends on result of the probe.”



Kim Khoeun stressed that the measures taken are aimed at strengthening discipline within the police force.



He went on to say that if Phinra is found guilty and the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement to settle the case, it will be forwarded to court.



This is the second time Cambodia’s police have come under scrutiny for misconduct, with former Kampong Thom Provincial Police Commissioner Ouk Kosal being fired on Sept. 9 after an investigation found him guilty of sexual harassing female officers.


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