Prison chief denies extortionist’s claims

THE director of Prey Veng Prison, where an inmate allegedly used phones and a computer to get sexually explicit videos from a woman before extorting her for hundreds of dollars, yesterday denied the suspect was given permission to access the net, but conceded “loopholes” had allowed prisoners to access the forbidden devices.

Speaking a day after word emerged of the extortion – which was allegedly abetted by prison guards – Chuon Sarim said prison staff were not able to stop prisoners from using the devices, but claimed it was not condoned.

The suspect had told police that Sarim’s deputy, Um Rayoeung, was the one who had granted him internet access.

“We don’t allow them to use [it], but there are loopholes in the prison. I cannot say more as the investigation is underway,” Sarim said yesterday.

Serial thief Yem Bros is expected to be charged after a 45-year-old Kandal woman told police in the province that she had shared sexually explicit videos and photos with a man online who then threatened to disseminate them unless she paid thousands of dollars in ransom.

The woman handed over $520, while videos featuring other women were also found on a laptop used by Bros, who was yesterday transferred to Phnom Penh’s Prey Sar prison while the General Department of Prisons conducts its investigation.

Spokesman for the department Nut Savna said a team had already been dispatched to Prey Veng Prison to question those allegedly involved, including at least two prison guards alleged to have collected the money for Bros.