The protocol director for CPP President Chea Sim filed a legal complaint on Nov 3 against Kampuchea Thmey newspaper, demanding $1 million in compensation for defamation, the director said Sunday.
Starting Oct 31, Tri Heng, owner of the Kampuchea Thmey (New Cambodia), published accusations against protocol director Konthea Bory alleging she stole a piece of land from him—a 10-hectare parcel located in Dangkao district’s Samraong Krom commune. Man Bunthoeun, editor-in-chief of the newspaper, said Tri Heng donated the land in 1999 to Chea Sim for the construction of a hospital.
“Three years later, only a fence has been built,” he said.
Although Kuy Sarath, assistant to Chea Sim’s chief of Cabinet, said the hospital’s construction started in June 2003, Tri Heng is asking for the land back.”
“We have enough evidence related to [Konthea Bory’s] tricks,” said Man Bunthoeun. “The plot of land should be handed back to its owner.”
“Tri Heng accused me of stealing the piece of land and of falsifying the papers,” Konthea Bory said. “I am suing him so that he will pay for the reparations and for the reputation he has made me.”
Konthea Bory said if she wins the trial, the money would in part pay journalists of newspapers such as Rasmei Kampuchea (Light of Cambodia), which “revealed the true story about the case.”
Pen Samithy, editor-in-chief of Rasmei Kampuchea, and president of the Club of Cambodian Journalists, was not available on Sunday for comment.
