Friday, 30 October 2009

Reporter Nabbed for Chiding Soy Sopheap Messages


Ros Sokhet inside the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday. Ros Sokhet was arrested in Phnom Penh for obliquely threatening Cambodian Television Network anchor and DMC GM on October 8 and again on October 28, 2009 by sending messages


Written by Administrator -- Friday, 30 October 2009

(Posted by CAAI News Media)

Phnom Penh Municipal Court has begun a case against a man who chi- ded Soy Sopheap, General Manager of Deum Ampil Media Center (DMC), twice with mobile phone SMS messages in October, a court officer said.

Ros Sokhet was arrested in Phnom Penh for obliquely threatening Cam- bodian Television Network anchor and DMC GM on October 8 and again on October 28, 2009 by sending messages.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Kong Chhay ordered a delay to court proceedings after the accused asked for time to find a defense lawyer. The hearing will recommence on November 6, 2009.

Ros Sokhet, a relatively frequent contributor to English-language media and foreign-owned magazines, told the court with unsteady voice that “Because I sent messages to him, I heard some people talked about him [Soy Sopheap], some journalists criticized him at Atalantic shop [called Arun Reah], so I decided to inform him as soon as possible.”

Ros Sokhet claimed that he “did not want to fight or denounce” Soy Sopheap. “If he agrees to an apology, I will write a letter to him,” he added.

Ros Sokhet, a resident of Phnom Penh, used to work with Radio Free Asia (RFA).

Soy Sopheap filed in official complaint with Phnom Penh Interior Ministry Police Chief, at the time unaware of the sender’s identity. Police investigated the case, a police officer said.

On October 8, 2009, between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm, four messages were sent to Soy Sopheap: “How much money did you demand from Khe Dara, her husband said that amount US$ 5,000, why were you so bad in action?,” followed by, “Khe Dara’s file was a little bit, but you extended to large, I received a report from Tong Seng who was threatened money by you as well as other members of CPP, all of them were very unhappy whatever you acted,” then, “Ok, all of CPP’s members were not happy, they want to destroy you. Moreover, CTN’s boss also did not welcome you,” and finally, “Tong Seng asked me…?” All messages were sent from the same Online telephone number. Soy Sopheap vowed to stand fast against criticism and threats to continue to expose the truth. “I do not fear such chidings; they are of small concern. I focus on Cambodian peace,” he said.

The Khe Dara case has surprised many Cambodian citizens for the punishment correctly and fairly meted out for her wrongdoings.

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