Prince Demands Firing After Security Bungle

National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh has de­manded the sacking of the Royal Palace security police chief after the prince was left stranded out­side palace gates that closed be­­­­hind the vehicle carrying his half-brother, King Norodom Si­ha­moni, police officials said Mon­day.

Prince Ranariddh ordered the firing of Dem Saroeun after palace guards shut the gates be­hind King Sihamoni’s car, upon the King’s re­turn to Phnom Penh Wednes­day, and refused to open them for Prince Ranariddh’s vehicle, which was following directly be­hind, said National Police Depu­ty Director General Sim Sophal.

Prince Ranariddh’s car lacked the necessary security clearance markings, Sim Sophal said, ad­ding that guards immediately opened the gates upon recognizing the occupant of the blocked vehicle.

“That gate is used only for the King…so we must close it” after the King passes, Sim Sophal said.

“I think he was only five minutes late,” he said of the prince.

A bodyguard of Prince Ra­na­riddh who with him at the time said that the prince’s car had fallen slightly behind the King’s vehicle by the time the motorcade approached the gates.

Realizing he was locked out, Prince Ranariddh ordered his driver to ask the guards to open the gates, said the bodyguard, who asked not to be named.

When the guards refused, Prince Ranariddh got out of the car and pounded on the gate until it was opened, the bodyguard said.

“Prince Norodom Ranariddh was very angry,” he added.

National Police Deputy Di­rec­t-or General Sau Phan said Prince Ra­nariddh ordered him to in­struct National Police Director Hok Lundy to fire Dem Saroeun.

Co-Minister of Interior Prince No­rodom Sirivudh has already signed off on the termination order, which now awaits only the signature of co-Minister Sar Kheng before it is implemented, Sim Sophal said.

Dem Saroeun is currently in Siem Reap with a delegation from the Royal Palace, collecting water from Kulen Mountain to be used in King Sihamoni’s coronation ceremony this week, Sim Sophal said. Dem Saroeun could not be reached for comment Monday.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak said Monday he was unfamiliar with the case.