Police officials and civil servants detained for setting up illegal checkpoints to extort money may lose their jobs and face charges in court, Major General Mao Chandara, chief of staff for the National Police, said Wednesday.
“If we find they were without orders or permission, they might be fired from their post or demoted, then could be sent to court,” Mao Chandara said. “If we find any senior officers involved we will take legal action and report to the top for a court case.”
The weekend sweep, which netted 53 military police and police officers, customs officials and veterinarians, was ordered by Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Most of those detained have so far only been ordered to clean toilets, build garages and attend training courses on the law.
Some detained officials have already been released, apparently cleared of wrongdoing. Ith Sarun of the Department of Animal Health and Production in Takeo, said two of his veterinarians were released after investigators found they had permission to check vehicles for sick animals.
Peang Chhunly, deputy chief of the department’s Phnom Penh office, said one of his veterinarians, checking vehicles transporting animals, was also released.
Customs Director Pen Siman called the detention of a customs officer “a confusion.” He said the officer had permission to check vehicles to ensure taxes had been paid on the cargo.
Kun Kim, deputy commander-in-chief of RCAF and an adviser to Hun Sen, applauded the detentions and punishments.
“Now we have to wait for the results of the investigation,” he said.
