Twelve teenagers who identified themselves as members of a gang called the “CX Boys” were handed sentences Monday, ranging from one to seven years in prison after being found guilty of various gang-related activities.
The young men, ranging in age from 16 to 19, were found guilty in the Phnom Penh Municipal Court of attempted murder, using a weapon without permission, and stealing motorbikes.
The 12 men were arrested in October after they shot and injured two youths riding motorbikes in Pur Senchey district’s Choam Chao commune.
The two leaders of the gang, Houth Cheang and Vanny Paneth, admitted to the offenses and said the gang mistook the two victims as members of a rival gang, with whom they had made an appointment to fight.
“I decided to start attacking and shooting the victims because I was confused and thought that they were members of the Phnom Penh Thmey Group. I had no intention of shooting them,” said Mr. Paneth.
The sentence also mandates that the 12 men pay victim Hang Bunthoeun $1,800 in compensation.
