Logging probe moved to capital
A HIGH-PROFILE investigation into corruption charges levelled against Mondulkiri police officials for colluding with Vietnamese timber traders has been transferred from the provincial court to Phnom Penh due to a lethargic investigation by local police, many of whom are involved in the case, a court spokesman said yesterday.
The case dates to March, when a National Police investigation found more than a dozen police, Military Police and army officials had colluded with Vietnamese smugglers after allegedly receiving $170,000 from Vietnamese timber trader Uk Nhor.
While the take was received by two Royal Cambodian Armed Forces officers and a Border Pol i c e of f i c i a l , according to the National Police report, it was also shared with a provincial Military Police commander and a Forestry Administration official, among others.
Seven Vietnamese nationals were also arrested as part of the same case for possession of 145 logs in February and are currently in pre-trial detention.
Meas Bros, spokesman for the Mondulkiri Provincial Court, said Justice Minister Ang Vong Vattana requested that the case be transferred to the capital, attributing the request to the slow investigation by the local police, some of whom were linked to the case. “The case happened in Mondulkiri province, so only t he of f i c i a l s here a re involved. All involved officials are working in this CONTINUED
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