[Cambodia] Try Pheap ‘defamers’ to see court

Two people who were quoted in a report implicating tycoon Try Pheap in illegal logging have been issued fresh summonses to appear in Kandal Provincial Court on defamation charges.

Sen San and Ouk Sambo were originally scheduled to appear in the court last Friday, but San was granted a postponement until Tuesday because his lawyer could not attend proceedings.

The charges stem from quotes contained in a report issued last month by the Cambodian Human Rights Task Force, which found evidence Try Pheap had grown rich from exploiting the illegal timber trade.

“I am afraid they will make up a story and frame me to put me in jail, because they are powerful,†San said yesterday. “If I am thrown in jail, it will be so shameful, because I have done nothing wrong at all.â€

Try Pheap, his company representatives and Sam Rithy Veasna, the prosecutor at Kandal Provincial Court, could not be reached yesterday.