‘Manith message’ inquiry pledged

DEFENCE Ministry spokesman Chhum Socheat yesterday said authorities would investigate leaked phone messages allegedly showing the prime minister’s second son Hun Manith – head of the military’s intelligence unit – conspiring with social media star Thy Sovantha to discredit opposition leader Kem Sokha.

Socheat’s promise of a probe came as a Facebook account belonging to Sovantha posted more than 400 screenshots of messages purporting to show her corresponding with Prime Minister Hun Sen himself.

Socheat said he was not aware of the messages purporting to involve Hun Sen, but said experts from the defence and interior ministries would investigate the authenticity of leaks related to Manith, a major general who last year became head of the military’s intelligence unit.

He claimed that any findings were an “intelligence matter” and not related to politics.

“We cannot conclude that it is true or not true yet … the ministries of interior and defence will investigate about this information,” Socheat said.

Contacted yesterday by Facebook, Manith, a major general, did not deny his exchanges with Sovantha, but did not address questions about their veracity.

“Maybe you can help me find out why this kind of video and topic has been spread over social media,” wrote Manith, who did not respond to later questions CONTINUED

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