Khaou Chuly’s Wife Seeking Bail for Health Reasons

A lawyer representing the wife of wealthy businessman Khaou Chuly over her alleged role in a plot to murder a senior government minister’s wife and daughter said yesterday he would seek bail today due to his client’s poor health.

Khaou Seng Chanda was provisionally detained on Thursday, charged with the attempted murder of the wife and daughter of Sun Chanthol, vice chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia.

Lim Vanna said Ms Seng Chanda should be granted bailed because she was suffering from high blood pressure and heart disease and was innocent.

“I do not believe my client did the acts she was accused of by the court,” Mr Vanna said.

The attempted murder charge relates to a June 13 incident in which, according to a police report, Ms Seng Chanda allegedly ordered 37-year-old Chan Sokha to organize the double murder.

The police report alleged that Ms Sokha arranged for Mr Chanthol’s maid, Neang Sinat, to assist in gaining access to the minister’s house in the capital’s Sen Sok district, and for Sok Lak and Yean Sothearith to carry out the killings. The murder plot was reportedly aborted, however, when Mr Chanthol’s wife woke up and shut an open door and windows, preventing access to the house.

Mr Vanna also claimed yesterday that Mr Chuly said last week he would write a letter to the government asking for their intervention in the case, and another letter to Phnom Penh Municipal Court requesting bail for his wife.

But when contacted yesterday, Mr Chuly said he did not know about any letters and referred questions to Mr Vanna.

Pal Chantara, Mr Chanthol’s family lawyer, said yesterday that it would be inappropriate for Mr Chuly to appeal to the government for intervention.

“We do not know who is in the right or wrong right now and we won’t until the court makes a verdict in this case,” he said, adding that the judge had discretion to release suspects on bail.

 

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