Hun Sen’s Ex-Aide Faces Trial Over $3M Corruption Scandal

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A high-profile corruption trial opened in Phnom Penh on Wednesday, drawing attention to Cambodia’s ongoing efforts to tackle graft at the highest levels. Duong Dara, a former aide to Senate President Hun Sen, appeared in court alongside three associates accused of embezzling $3 million from the sale of a decommissioned prison complex in Kampong Chhnang province.

 

The defendants—Ly Samet, also a former assistant to Hun Sen; Muong Khim, a retired police officer; and ex-businessman Uth Thy—are charged with “active and passive trading in influence” and “corruption” under Cambodia’s Criminal Code and Anti-Corruption Law. Thy faces additional charges for orchestrating the sale through his construction firm, allegedly pocketing the surplus after building a cheaper replacement facility.

 

Judge Yi Sokvouch stated that the group conspired in 2018 to sell the prison land at a premium, diverting the excess funds for personal gain rather than transferring them to state institutions. The Anti-Corruption Unit arrested all four men in November last year following a lengthy investigation.

 

If convicted, each defendant could face between five and ten years in prison. The trial underscores Cambodia’s broader push to enforce accountability, even among those once closely linked to the country’s political elite.

 

No verdict date has been announced, but the case is being closely watched as a test of the judiciary’s independence and the government’s commitment to anti-corruption reform.

 

-2025-08-15

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