Media frenzy as the ex-governor arrives from the Ministry of the Interior at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court this afternoon.

No Cambodian curtain rail could take the weight of a human being.Case closed.

Six questioned in death of National Assembly staffer
3 April 2018
Prosecutors on Monday continued to question six suspects – including former Takeo Governor Lay Vannak – believed to be involved in the death of a National Assembly staffer who was romantically involved with Vannak.

“The prosecutor is interrogating and checking the evidence in the case,” Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Ly Sophanna said on Monday.

The case has fuelled intense speculation on social media that Vannak and his brother had a direct hand in 36-year-old Chev Sovathana’s death.

Vannak was transferred last week from his post as governor to an unspecified position at the Ministry of Interior without explanation, and officials have not said whether his removal was connected to the murder investigation.

The former governor, a CPP Central Committee member, was taken into custody Sunday afternoon, hours after he posted a denial on his Facebook page. In his post, he claimed Sovathana had attempted suicide multiple times before.

Vannak’s brother, provincial Deputy Police Chief Lay Narith, was arrested Saturday, along with four other suspects – Chan Ry, Sovathana’s maid; Choem Vuth, Ry’s husband; Men Sakmay, Vannak’s driver; and Tak Ratana, Narith’s driver.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... ly-staffer

At last, it's official. The ex-governor of Takeo and his brother, Deputy Police Chief, have both been charged with murder.

Breaking: Former Takeo governor charged with murder in death of mistress
03 April 2018 | 16:21 ICT
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday charged former Takeo governor Lay Vannak and his brother, provincial Deputy Police Chief Lay Narith, with murder in the death of a National Assembly staffer with whom Lay Vannak was having an affair.

Court spokesman Ly Sophana confirmed the charges in the death of 36-year-old Chev Sovathana, who was found hanged in January in what police originally ruled a suicide.

Two others – Choem Vuth, the husband of Sovathana's maid, and Men Sakmay, Vannak’s driver – were charged with “concealment of evidence.”
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... h-mistress

International news has become interested in the case because Lay Vannak is a senior member of the CPP, the ruling party.

Cambodian ruling party ex-governor charged with murder
By Associated Press April 3 at 12:51 PM

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Prosecutors in Cambodia charged a former provincial governor on Tuesday with killing a National Assembly staffer with whom he was romantically involved, in a rare case in which a senior member of the ruling party has faced a major criminal charge.

A spokesman of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court said Lay Vannak, formerly the governor of the southern province of Takeo, was charged along with his brother, Gen. Lay Narith, the province’s deputy police chief. If convicted of murder, the charge they appear to face, each could serve 10-15 years in prison. Premeditated murder carries a maximum term of life imprisonment.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/as ... 1031b87cbd

Wow, getting interesting. Much talk at the markets about this case.

Lets have a look at the ingredients in this cooking pot.

Lay Vannak..,,,, [ Accused ] Former Governor of Takeo, ,,,,,, transferred to

General Lay Narith ,,,,,, [ Brother of Accused ] Takeo Deputy police chief.

Chev Savathana,,,,,, [ victim ] National Assembly staffer.

Sou Socheata ,,,, [ Wife of accused ] Deputy prosecuter of Kandel provincial court and daughter of

Sou Phirin ,,,,, [ father of above ] Former Takeo Governor, now Secretary of State at The Council of Ministers.

Have I got it right,? I note that there are no motodops , tuk-tuk drivers or bargirls involved . [ yet ]

5 April 2018
A senior investigator for Adhoc welcomed the actions of the courts and authorities who were willing to review the case for senior officials. He said the move shows that the authorities and courts have the ability to investigate criminal cases, even involving powerful officials.

The principal accused, Mr. Lay Vannak, is the son of the owner of the gold and diamond shop in Central Market, Kong Hong Brand, and is the son-in-law of Mr. Sou Phirin, former governor of Takeo, Kampong Chhnang and Siem Reap provinces. Currently Secretary of State, Secretary of the Council of Ministers, Mr. Lay Vannak was appointed as governor for Sambo on 18 March 2014.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Spokesman Ly Sophanna on April 3 said that the trial judge had initiated a criminal investigation into the case. He said that Mr. Lay Vannak, former governor of the province and his brother Lay Narith, former deputy police chief of Takeo province, are accused of murder under Article 199 Of the penal code, and that they could face or 10 to 15 years imprisonment if found guilty.
The victim

CPP expels former Takeo governor accused of murder
25 April 2018 | 16:33 ICT
Former Takeo governor Lay Vannak, who is facing murder charges in the death of his mistress, has been expelled from the CPP.

A decree signed by Senate President Say Chhum on April 18 and made public by Fresh News on Tuesday announced Vannak’s removal from the CPP, citing party statutes and other internal regulations.

Vannak and his brother, provincial Deputy Police Chief Lay Narith, are charged with murder in the death of 36-year-old National Assembly staffer Chev Sovathana, who was found hanged in her room in Takeo in January in what police originally ruled a suicide.

Before he was arrested, Vannak admitted to the affair with Sovathana but denied any involvement in her death, calling it a suicide.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/ ... sed-murder

The ex-governor of Takeo province, Lay Vanna, appeared in Phnom Penh Municipal Court today charged with the murder of his mistress, Chev Sovathana.

May 11, 2018 at 3:54 pm

(Phnom Penh): On the morning of May 11, 2018, Kuy Sov, the Phnom Penh Investigating judge, questioned Lay Vanna, the former governor of Takeo province, about the murder of Chev Sovathana. The results of the inquiry were not disclosed, with court officials claiming the confidentiality of the investigation.

Kuy Sov, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court Investigator, on April 3, 2018, ordered the arrest of Lay Vannak, former governor of Takeo province and three others who were temporarily jailed. Two others were released because they were not involved.

Ly Sovanana, a spokesman for the Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor, said the prosecution had decided to open an investigation accusing Lay Vannak,45, and his brother, Lay Narith, 46, of murder under Article 199 of the Penal Code.

Men Saemy, 36, and Chim Vuth, known as Thut, a 41-year-old male, are accused of hiding evidence in the house at Phsar Tapok commune, Roka in Daun Keo city, Takeo province, on January 26, 2018 under Article 532 of the Penal Code.