Man escapes jail in Prey Veng

AUTHORITIES are on the hunt for an escapee who fled from the Prey Veng Provincial Prison’s pig farm on Saturday.

Interior Ministry General Department of Prisons spokesman Som Keo said police are investigating the escape of inmate Meas Samnang, 47, who was convicted on drug charges and has been serving out his sentence in Prey Veng prison since November 2015.

“The incident took place yesterday at about 10am . . . The pig farm is inside the prison, but in the agriculture area outside the main stone wall,” Keo said, adding that Samnang had been tasked with repairing the pigs’ cages. “Therefore, he could take the opportunity to escape.”

Keo said officials weren’t sure exactly how the fugitive managed to escape, and said the prison break was still under investigation.

This is the second time the Prey Veng Provincial Prison has made headlines for ignominious reasons in recent months, after guards were accused of helping an inmate blackmail a woman over sexually explicit photographs in July.

“Related to the case of post- ing images on Facebook, we have sent the initial report, but we have not heard back yet from Samdech Kralahorm [Interior Minister Sar Kheng],” Keo said.

Prey Veng Prisons Director Choun Sarim vowed to pay a reward of $1,000 out of his own pocket to whoever captured the escaped convict.

“We have appointed all forces to search for him across 24 provinces. The Prey Veng Provincial Police chief and Militar y Police chief will help search for him,” Sarim said. “[ To] the one who can arrest him, I will pay $1,000.”