Military police in Banteay Meanchey province on Wednesday released a Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) officer who was arrested Monday for his involvement in a case in which a woman spread rumors that he would soon become the next governor of Poipet City.
The woman, Try Nat Baraing, 45, is still being held by military police for causing “turmoil” by telling locals that Ork Sophan, 53, a land dealer and RCAF lieutenant colonel, would soon replace city governor Ngor Mengchruon.
Chum Sokhoeun, head of the military police’s provincial crime suppression office, said Mr. Sophan was freed because he had no role in spreading the rumors.
“We have released him because after questioning him [we found] he is not the person who caused turmoil, but he was tricked by Ms. Try Nat Baraing,” he said.
Military police said that Mr. Sophan told them he had come to believe Ms. Baraing’s prediction. Mr. Sokhoeun said the woman would be sent to the provincial court for questioning Thursday.
