PM: No More Royal Pardons for Robbers

[geovalin]

Khmer Times/Ven Rathavong and Jonathan Cox

The prime minister has called for an end to royal pardons for people convicted of robbery and drug trafficking, following a police shootout last weekend that killed two men accused of murdering a man and stealing his motorbike in Toul Kork. The two men killed by police had received royal pardons, Prime Minister Hun Sen said yesterday.

“They were released from prison, and they robbed and became involved in drug trafficking again,” said Mr. Hun Sen during a speech. “The Justice Minister should be careful about releasing prisoners jailed on robbery or drug charges.” The two men are suspected of participating in a series of violent motorbike robberies after being pardoned.

The Cambodian legal system has traditionally allowed for group pardons of criminals three times per year, including one set of pardons during the Water Festival. This year’s Festival saw 102 prisoners pardoned by King Norodom Sihamoni, while another 578 had their sentences reduced.

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