Former minister of justice Uk Vithun, ousted more than a year ago amid corruption accusations, has been appointed prosecutor general of the Supreme Court, a Justice Ministry official said Thursday.
The official, who asked not to be identified, said the appointment was made at an Oct 28 meeting of the Supreme Council of Magistracy—the nominally independent body that is responsible for overseeing the judiciary—officiated by Senate President Chea Sim.
However, the official added, the royal decree cementing the decision might not be issued until the end of the month, since, “As we can see, the King is very busy.”
The current minister of justice, Neav Sithong, was appointed last August in a government reshuffle that included three other ministries as well. Before being appointed minister, Neav Sithong served as Supreme Court prosecutor general—the same position the ousted minister will now assume.
Uk Vithun could not be reached for comment Thursday. His brother, who answered his phone, said he was sick with the flu.
Sim Rithy Sen, director of the ministry’s Personnel and Training Department, which is in charge of assignments, said he hadn’t heard of the reported appointment. “I have not yet seen the official report of the [meeting of the] Supreme Council of Magistracy,” he said.
The Supreme Court prosecutor general is the body’s top litigator and generally handles high-profile cases.
