Two brothers were arrested on Wednesday in connection with the rape of a 13-year-old girl and the subsequent arson of her home in Phnom Penh’s Dangkao district, police and court officials said Friday.
Child rape suspect Chhuon Chhin, 20, was arrested for the Dec 25 day time attack on the girl at her home in Phea village, Prateah Lang commune and remanded to Prey Sar prison on Thursday, said Municipal Court Chief Prosecutor Ouk Savouth.
Neighbors were alerted to the attack by the girl’s screams but Chhuon Chhin warned locals to stay away until he had finished by threatening that he would kill the girl if anyone approached, Dangkao district police Deputy Chief Chuop Sok Heng said on Friday.
Chhuon Chhin fled after the attack but was arrested on Wednesday when he returned to his home in Phea village.
The family of the victim were summoned to the commune police post to press charges on Wednesday, and while they were at the police station, assailants torched their small makeshift home, said Chuop Sok Heng.
Chhuon Chhin’s brother, Chhuon Chhoeun, 23, was arrested Wednesday in connection with the fire, but released Thursday due to lack of evidence, Chuop Sok Heng said. “There is no new suspect being sought,” he said.
Phnom Penh Governor Kep Chuktema donated approximately $125 to the family on Thursday, he added.
Court officials said on Friday that Chhuon Chhin could face up to 20 years in prison for the crime of child rape.
