Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court sentenced three men to 15 years in prison on Monday for the deaths of two Sam Rainsy Party activists near Poipet, and gave another man one year for illegal weapons possession in a case officials described as armed robbery.
Soeur Vuddha, 33, Thong Ngan, 30, Doeur Sok Hem, 30, and So Savong, 27, were sentenced for the killings, and Men Sotr, the son of a well-connected Banteay Meanchey businessman, received one year after a Saturday trial, presiding Judge Sin Visal said on Monday.
The sentences bring some closure to speculation surrounding the Jan 15 shooting deaths of opposition party activist Chhoeun Lang, an outspoken opponent of land-grabs in the Poipet area, and his friend Keo Chan in Chhoeun Lang’s O’Chrou district, Angsala Khmer village, home.
Seven people were arrested in connection with the crime. Three were released, court officials said.
Sam Rainsy Party officials have maintained that the killings were political and expressed doubt over the verdict Monday.
“I suspect those convicted for the crimes are being scapegoated for others’ actions,” said Banteay Meanchey opposition lawmaker Kim Suor Phirith.
Court officials flatly denied a political link to the shootings. “It was not related to politics. It was just crime,” provincial court director Nov Yarath said.
