Flight of man named in leaflet shows guilt, police chief says

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Meas Sokchea

Man whose name appeared on leaflets has fled to border: nephew.

POLICE have yet to identify the producers of leaflets that characterised Prime Minister Hun Sen as a corrupt "puppet of Vietnam", Municipal Police Chief Touch Naruth told the Post Monday, adding that officers would not assume that those whose names were on the leaflets were behind the fliers.

Hundreds of leaflets accusing Hun Sen of damaging the prestige of Khmer culture were distributed through the streets of the capital early Wednesday morning.

Kem Sopheak, whose name appeared along with four others on the leaflets, has denied any involvement in their production. He told the Post last week that he had gone into hiding, and he could not be reached for comment on Monday.

Referring to Kem Sopheak, Touch Naruth, who is heading the investigation, said: "If he has not done anything, then he should not be afraid. We can't detain anyone without clear proof. We have to investigate it first. Like always, we have to do our research."

Touch Naruth called on Kem Sopheak, who said last week that he was a Sam Rainsy Party activist, to meet with authorities to clarify his position, adding that any attempt to remain in hiding would suggest that he was involved.

"If he said he has not done this, and then he tries to escape, that means he's guilty," he said.

A man who identified himself as a nephew of Khem Sopheak named Samnang, said Monday that his uncle had fled to the Cambodian-Thai border.

"If he calls me again I will tell him to clarify with the police, but it's up to him," Samnang said.