The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday found two police officers guilty of extortion, and one of them was also sentenced for aggravated weapon use after he shot a 29-year-old man who refused to pay a bribe at a roadside checkpoint in January.
Presiding Judge Suos Sam Ath said You Sokkea was sentenced to 10 years in jail for both extortion and the aggravated use of a weapon, and Kong Dara was sentenced to two years in prison, one of which was suspended.
“The court has decided to sentence You Sokkea, 30, to 10 years in prison and Kong Dara, 44, to two years in prison, with one year suspended,” Judge Sam Ath said, adding that the court was not levying compensation on the two officers.
“They are civil servants and they do not have money to pay compensation or a fine,” he said.
“It is not easy and they are simple civil servants who are poor.”
In January, the two police officers stopped the victim, Dy Vichet, who was transporting chili peppers in a truck, at a checkpoint in Russei Keo district on Street 598 to try to extort money from him.
But Mr. Vichet refused to pay the fee and drove off, prompting You Sokkea to chase him down. Although You Sokkea claimed that he had discharged his gun into the air to warn Mr. Vichet, the victim was left with a bullet wound in the left side of his chest.
Kong Dara had claimed he was not present during the shooting.
Mr. Vichet said Wednesday the verdict was “unacceptable.”
“The police officer shot me, and I could have lost my life,” Mr. Vichet said. “The court should have called me to join the hearing.”
Mr. Vichet added that he is still suffering from the gunshot wound he sustained.
“My wound still hurts me—my back—and I get headaches from the pain,” he said.
