RCAF probe into custody death gathers pace

AN INVESTIGATING team from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) continues to look into the death of a man during an operation against online lottery and cockfighting in Krava commune’s Rong village of Kampong Thom province’s Baray district.

National Military Police spokesman Eng Hy told The Post on August 14 that 12 military police officers who were part of the operation were still being questioned.

“The investigation is confidential so the media should wait for its results, while the public should not be too quick to judge – it is important to find the truth. It is not good for individuals who are not involved in the investigation to hear inaccurate information and jump to conclusions.

“I understand that Cambodia is a democracy and there is the right to freedom of expression, but some comments also affect the honour of the operation’s forces,” he said.

Hy said the establishment of the working group came after information was received about the death of the man, with National Military Police commander General Sao Sokha – who is also RCAF deputy commander – ordering the creation of an emergency task force to investigate.

The working group has inspected the scene of the operation to gather information, as well met with the prosecutor at the provincial court to discuss the case.

It also met with Sok Mony Udom, a medical doctor who examined the deceased’s body at the Baray District Referral Hospital, as well as the hospital’s director.

Din Nearadey, the dead man’s daughter, told The Post on August 14 that the RCAF’s working group had inspected the scene of the operation and questioned the owners and people there at the time.

She said she had not provided any information as she was not present at the scene.

“The Military Police officials also questioned members of my family as to whether my father had a chronic illness. I told them that my father didn’t suffer from any diseases.

“They also spoke to villagers. They told me that on Monday [August 15] they would let us know their results,” Nearadey said.