The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) arrested two district police officials in Kampot province on Thursday for allegedly embezzling money that should have gone toward the salaries of fellow district and commune police officers for the past several years, according to local police.
Banteay Meas district deputy police chief Kim Sokhorn identified the suspects as fellow deputy district police chief Mok Hort and district police chief Srun Lam and said the pair was questioned today at the provincial court.
“The two police officers were arrested by the Anti-Corruption Unit for cutting the salaries of police officers for five years,” Mr. Sokhorn said, but added that he did not know how much money they were accused of stealing at that time.
The provincial court confirmed that the men were being questioned.
“The provincial court questioned both police officers, and they were investigated by the ACU,” said deputy court prosecutor Iv Tray.
ACU Chairman Om Yentieng declined to speak with a reporter and Kheang Seng, the unit’s law enforcement chief, said he did not know about the case.
Provincial police chief Thlong Phirin also said he had no idea that two of his subordinates were accused of embezzling police salaries.
Yun Phally, prison researcher for rights group Licadho, said his NGO had received an anonymous complaint from officers working under the suspects that the pair had also been embezzling bonuses meant for the officers from the ruling CPP.
He said authorities were alerted about the complaint about three or four months ago.
