Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06PHNOMPENH1445 | 2006-08-15 08:34:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Phnom Penh |
VZCZCXRO0466 PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM DE RUEHPF #1445/01 2270834 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 150834Z AUG 06 FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7142 INFO RUEHZS/ASEAN COLLECTIVE RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 PHNOM PENH 001445 |
1. (U) Summary. On August 8, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court initiated corruption proceedings against Touch Ngim, former Deputy Director of the MOI's Anti-TIP Department. Ngim confessed to taking bribe money to release brothel owners, but claimed that he was acting upon orders of his superior, General Un Sokunthea, who leads the MOI's Anti-TIP Unit, and who allegedly received USD 3,000 of the USD 9,000 paid. The case came to light after four of the six arrested filed complaints to the courts demanding compensation. End Summary. Touch Ngim On Trial -------------------------- 2. (U) On August 8, Judge Ke Sakhorn of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court opened proceedings concerning a trafficking corruption case involving the MOI's Anti-TIP Department. The prosecutor of the Phnom Penh court filed charges in May 2006 against three police officers of the Anti-TIP Department (Touch Ngim, Thong Kim Heng and Rin Savoeun) for taking bribes from owners of karaoke clubs/brothels in Kampong Speu province in exchange for their release. Ngim was arrested in December 2005 and was the only one present in court. Kim Heng, who continues working in the Anti-TIP Department as the Chief of Anti-TIP Office, was represented by a defense lawyer; Rin had no representation. Presiding Judge Ke Sakhorn has not reached a verdict in the case. 3. (U) In September 2004, Ngim led more than 20 police officers of the Anti-TIP Department in a raid against four karaoke parlors operating as fronts for prostitution. Six suspects were arrested and detained in the department for one night. All of them were released the next morning after paying a total amount of USD 9,000 to the police. Four of them later submitted complaints to court against the police demanding repayment of the bribe money. 4. (SBU) During the trial, Touch Ngim acknowledged releasing the six suspects of the four raided Karaoke/brothels for USD 9,000. He added that the release was done with the knowledge and approval of his superior, General Un Sokunthea, who allegedly took USD 3,000 of the total amount. The Kampong Speu Court Prosecutor, Ou Phat, reportedly received USD 3,000. Ngim received USD 700 and the remaining USD 2,300 allegedly was divided among the staff of the Anti-TIP Department. Ngim testified that Kim Heng and Savoeun were the ones who negotiated the price with the suspects, and Heng was responsible for distributing the USD 2,300 among the Department. He continued that this was the first time he had been involved in any wrongdoing. He said he has worked in the Department since its creation, helped Cambodia be promoted from Tier 3 to Tier 2 in 2003, and received a medal from the MOI for his outstanding performance. 5. (U) The prosecutor claimed that Ngim lacks evidence to implicate Sokunthea and the others. He said that Ngim was the leader of the operation, and the one who made sole decision. In his defense, Ngim said he was in fact the chief of the operation, but as a police officer, he has to respect the hierarchy and his move needed to be approved by his superior. 6. (SBU) Ngim's lawyer provided evidence of Un Sokunthea's involvement in the form of a report dated September 22, 2005. In the report, submitted to General Commissioner of the National Police Hok Lundy, Un Sokunthea allegedly acknowledged receiving USD 3,000, but clarified that she spent USD 2,600 to construct a building inside the ministry. The remainder of the amount was used on a provincial matter and the rest divided among administrative staff. The report added that the Kampong Speu Court's prosecutor received USD 3,000. In his concluding remarks, the defense lawyer for Ngim stated that all involved in the corruption case, regardless of rank, should be held responsible - not just his client. Defense counsel also noted irregularities surrounding his client's arrest; held longer than 48 hours in police custody, and held more than 6 months in pretrial detention. 7. (U) During Thong's testimony, he denied any involvement in bribe-taking or the negotiating process. Thong said Ngim and Rin handled the case and Ngim ordered him to release the suspects. He acknowledged that he did receive USD 100 after the operation, and he was told that the money is an incentive for his hard work. Thong's defense lawyer claimed his client's unwitting involvement, and asked that charges against his client be dropped. 8. (U) The police record of Rin Savoeun's interview noted that Rin allegedly received USD 50 from Ngim for his work. Complaints submitted by four of the six arrested brothel owners identified Rin as the police officer demanding money and negotiating the price. 9. (SBU) Comment: Reports of corruption in the police force are nothing new; criminal proceedings against officers are rare. The PHNOM PENH 00001445 002 OF 002 government's selective treatment of this case will unlikely act as a significant deterrent to other law enforcement officials involved in corruption. We see Ngim and the others as scapegoats in a case that came to the public's attention only after the released suspects asked for their bribe money to be returned. So far, Un Sokunthea has not been charged with any wrongdoing nor has she commented on the alleged report linking her to accepting bribe money. MUSSOMELLI |