Cambodian court charges provincial deputy governor, local tycoon with bribery
Wednesday, 08 Jul 2020
11:26 AM MYT
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): A Cambodian court on Tuesday (July 7) charged Battambang provincial deputy governor Sou Arafat and local tycoon Sang Than with committing corruption in regards to a land dispute, a court's spokesman said.

The kingdom's Anti-Corruption Unit arrested Arafat on July 1, four days after apprehending Than for allegedly paying bribes to occupy 5,000ha of land, which is equal to a quarter of the total land in Kors Kralor district in northwestern Battambang province.

"Deputy prosecutor Soeun Moniroth decided to charge Sang Than with masterminding intentional destruction and dishonest embezzlement and paying bribes, while Sou Arafat was charged with intentional destruction and dishonest embezzlement and accepting bribes," Phnom Penh Municipal Court's spokesman Kuch Kimlong told reporters.

Arafat, who is also the head of the provincial committee for land dispute resolution in Kors Kralor, was accused of forging fake documents related to the size of the land, which resulted in Than possessing 5,000ha and caused land conflicts with dozens of residents.

On June 27, Cambodian Prime Minister HE also issued a sub-decree which terminated Mao Sokchan from his post as Kors Kralor district governor. Sokchan was not arrested or taken in.
https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/as ... th-bribery

CEOCambodiaNews wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 1:45 pm arrested Arafat

Old thread about another Battambang district governor; from 2016, exactly 4 years ago:
Governor accused of corruption, drinking parties with sexual obscenities
newsworthy/governor-accused-corruption- ... t9603.html

Further details relating to the OP: It is reported that on June 27, 2020, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia also issued a sub-decree removing Mao Sokhan from his post as district governor of Kreng Kral District, Battambang province.
This demotion was not directly linked to the arrest of the deputy governor of Kreng Kral, but a statement added that land grabs and corruption by powerful people will not be tolerated.

Oknha Seng Thorn was also arrested on June 27. He allegedly owns one quarter of the land in the district, which he obtained through corruption.

UPDATE: 7 Years Prison for Landgrabbing Oknha and Deputy Governor

Cambodia News, (Phnom Penh): On the morning of July 6, 2020, the Anti-Corruption Unit sent Oknha Song Thorn and Mr. Surafat, ex-Deputy Governor of Battambang Province, to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for questioning regarding more than 5,000 hectares of land disputes in the district.

Today, on the morning of June 10, 2022, Mr. Pich Vicheathor, Deputy President of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and Chairman of the Trial Chamber, announced the verdict in this case. Former wealthy tycoon, Duke Song Thorn and former Battambang Deputy Governor Surafat were sentenced to 7 years prison each, charged with offenses related to the illegal purchase, sale and possession of about 5,000 hectares of state land in Kreng Kral District, Battambang province.

1. Duke Song Thorn was charged with conspiracy to fraud, extortion and bribery.

2. Mr. Surafat, Deputy Governor of Battambang Province, was charged with intentional destruction, embezzlement, corruption and bribery.
The verdict also ordered Surafat to pay $ 25,000 to the state.

The verdict paves the way for the right to appeal in accordance with the law if either party does not agree with the trial. After the verdict was announced, the two defendants were taken back to prison by prison guards to carry out their sentences.