Two officials charged after beating woman

TWO Por Sen Chey district officials were charged on Friday at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for allegedly beating a woman following a traffic accident earlier this month.

Leng Vesna, Por Sen Chey district deputy police chief, yesterday said the two brothers – Sum Sovanrith, 30, and Sum Satya Punreay, 25 – were charged with intentional violence with aggravating circumstances under Article 218 of the Criminal Code.

If convicted, the pair could face two to five years in prison, and a fine of 4 million riel to 10 million riel, or close to $1,000 to $2,500.

Investigating Judge Kert Sang ordered that the suspects be taken to Prey Sar prison for pre-trial detention.

Victim Chhe Sophal, 27, who also alleged the pair was driving in a drunken manner, filed the complaint with police about her alleged beating. CCTV footage shows her riding away from the suspects after a minor collision and subsequent confrontation, only to be followed by the former officials and kicked off her motorbike by one of them.

Sophal last week withdrew her complaint after the brothers paid her $6,500 in compensation, saying she wanted to give them the “opportunity to correct themselves”, though district police officials said they would still send the case to court as it was a criminal matter.

Sang could not be reached for comment yesterday.