A bodyguard who was charged with murdering businessman Ung Meng Chue last year on the orders of his boss, fugitive Defense Ministry official Thong Sarath, was on Monday questioned by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, his lawyer said.
Mr. Meng Chue, the chairman of the Shimmex Group, was gunned down outside a fruit store in Chamkar Mon district on November 22.
Major General Sarath remains at large. Sieng Veasna, 45, who was charged with premeditated murder for allegedly shooting dead Mr. Meng Chue while Maj. Gen. Sarath’s three other bodyguards acted as accomplices, was questioned by Investigating Judge Ly Sokleng for two hours, according to his lawyer, Kea Eav.
“The judge questioned him again because he is still a suspect,” Mr. Eav said, avowing his client’s innocence.
“He has not confessed because on the day of the murder, he was traveling with his family from Kompong Chhnang province to Phnom Penh.”
Speaking to a reporter before entering the judge’s chambers Monday, Mr. Veasna asked the media to keep the spotlight on his case.
“Please, may the journalists help find justice for me,” he said. “The court is not just.”
Judge Sokleng declined to comment.
