Suit filed over claim that Samrin's hometown 'in Vietnam'
Phnom Penh Post | 25 August 2017
An official with the obscure Khmer United Great Nation Party
(KUGNP) filed a lawsuit yesterday against border researcher Sok Touch for
suggesting last week that National Assembly President Heng Samrin’s home is in
Vietnamese territory.
The complaint was filed to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court by
Heang Kim Sroeun, vice president of the KUGNP, and accused the Royal Academy
director of a slew of transgressions.
Kim Sroeun, whose party did not run in the 2017 commune
elections, accused Touch of defamation, incitement to discriminate, insult to
public officials, using counterfeit documents, giving fake information and
treason.
On August 18, Touch said that Samrin’s Tbong Khmum hometown
was actually in Vietnam according to map lines, a claim that was supported by
CPP spokesman Sok Eysan.
Kim Sroeun, however, said Touch had “faked the history of
Anlong Chrey village . . . which is the birthplace of Samdech Heng Samrin”,
maintaining that Touch had accused Samrin of “grabbing Vietnamese land”.
Kim Sroeun said Touch’s speech was meant to “break national
unity . . . or accuse some leaders and the government”.
Touch, who was recently promoted to the head of the Royal
Academy of Cambodia, a promotion which carries a rank equivalent to a
government minister, defended his comments.
“I am a scientific researcher, I speak the truth. Why blame
me? This issue is not a secret,” he said yesterday, adding he will consider
filing a countersuit.
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