Battambang ex-governor, tycoon jailed for 7 years each, fined $25K

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday sent a former vice-governor of Battambang province and a former business tycoon to seven years in prison each over corruption and land grabbing of nearly 5,000 hectares of state land in Battambang Province’s Kors Kralor district.

“The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has sentenced accused Sou Arafat and Sorng Thorn to seven years in prison each. The court orders both of them to pay $25,000 as a fine,” read the court verdict. The municipal court also seized the nearly 5,000 hectares that they both owned in Kors Kralor district and attached it as the state property.

Presiding Judge Pich Vicheathor stated that the two accused were identified as Sou Arafat, 47, the former vice-governor living in Battambang city; and Sorng Thorn, 60, the former real estate businessman living in Kors Kralor district of Battambang province. Judge Vicheathor said that Arafat was charged under Articles 605 and 608 of the Criminal Code, while Thorn was charged under Articles 605, 608 and 630 of the Criminal Code.

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