A high-ranking provincial police official in Koh Kong has been accused of assault after he allegedly punched his ex-brother-in-law last week at a fair preceding the annual Sea Festival in Khemara Phoumint City, officials said Sunday.
Chan Ravya—who is chief of the provincial anti-economic crime department and son of provincial police chief Som Khitvien—allegedly punched his brother-in-law, Lim Socheat, 32, in the face on Wednesday while Mr. Socheat was browsing stalls set up in advance of the annual festival, which aims to promote the country’s beaches, according to Chhin Long, chief clerk at the Koh Kong Provincial Court.
On Friday, Mr. Socheat, who owns a karaoke parlor in Siem Reap province, filed a complaint with the court, Mr. Long said.
“I received the case on Friday evening,” he said. “In the complaint, he accused [Mr. Ravya] of intentional violence.”
Mr. Socheat explained Sunday that he had been married to Mr. Ravya’s sister, but said they had since separated, and he had been touring the fair in Smach Meanchey commune with his new girlfriend when the attack occurred Wednesday.
“When I was walking, I saw five or six police and then two among them grabbed me,” he said. “Then the anti-economic crime police chief, Chan Ravya…punched me in the eye and nose two or three times and I lost consciousness.”
Mr. Socheat said he had never had an altercation with his brother-in-law before, and did not know what prompted the attack.
“It might have something to do with our history, or something else, but I never had any conflicts with him. It was he who beat me, and he shouted: ‘You still come to Koh Kong province?’”
Mr. Ravya could not be reached Sunday, but his father, Mr. Khitvien, the provincial police chief, admitted the beating took place.
“It happened,” he said. “It is a family issue between brothers. As the father, I will solve the problem.”
In Kongchit, an investigator for Licadho, said Sunday that he also received a complaint from Mr. Socheat on Friday.
Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly identified Chhin Long as the director of the Koh Kong Provincial Court. He is the chief clerk at the court.
