By Saing SoenthrithFlames and clouds of smoke rose from burning tires on land owned by former Funcinpec first co-prime minister Ung Huot Tuesday morning as part of a protest over a Supreme Court verdict that forced Ung Hout’s stepbrother from the plot, police said.
Kong Boren, 44, set the fire on his stepbrother’s land in Russei Keo district’s Chrang Chamres II commune after the court ordered him to vacate the land, said Long Virak, district penal police chief.
The two stepbrothers battled in court for two years over Ung Huot’s decision to sell the land, which he purchased in 1993.
He allowed Kong Boren to use it for his family’s home for more than 10 years, Long Virak said.
He originally offered $10,000 to Kong Boren to vacate the plot when he decided to sell the land. But Kong Boren demanded $40,000 to move.
After the court decision Tuesday, police and 10 bodyguards accompanied Ung Huot to his newly returned land. The fire was the only disturbance Long Virak said.
Kong Boren was given $1,000 for his family’s moving costs. They have now returned to their home province of Prey Veng, Long Virak added.
