Media centre chief has Sokha case links: court

Pa Nguon Teang, executive director of the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, stands in front of the Phnom Penh Municpal Court yesterday where he was questioned. Hong Menea

Media centre chief has Sokha case links: court

Phnom Penh Post | 19 August 2016

Pa Nguon Teang, director of the Cambodian Centre for Independent Media, yesterday denied involvement in acting CNRP president Kem Sokha’s alleged sex scandal after the court said it had an audio recording linking him to the ongoing bribery case. 

Nguon Teang, who appeared before the court yesterday, said he asked court officials to produce their evidence and, when his request was denied, refused to answer further questions so as to not perjure himself. 

“The court says they have evidence but they do not want to show it,” he said, adding that he would contest the audio file if it was acquired illegally. 

Nguon Teang said most of the questions were based on the interrogation of previous witnesses. In particular, he was asked if he had requested jailed National Election Committee official Ny Chakrya set up a meeting with Sokha to discuss the controversy surrounding his purported mistress Khom Chandaraty.

“I work with a lot of people, so I am not sure who I met, and I do not remember who I have talked to,” he said, adding that he had never spoken to Chandaraty. 

Separately, CNRP lawmakers Tok Vanchan and Pin Ratana – who have been summonsed in the same case, which involves an alleged attempt to bribe Chandaraty – will have their right to parliamentary immunity debated by the National Assembly in October, said CPP lawmaker Chheang Vun.