Candlelight Party’s commune chief Nhim Sarom released on court bail


Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 

The Kampong Thom Provincial Court has released Stung district’s Chamna Loeu commune chief Nhim Sarom on bail following his arrest on Tuesday for robbery allegedly committed in 2002. 

Deputy prosecutor Say Veasna said Sarom, who was reelected commune chairman on a Candlelight party ticket, was released by the court and had returned home. 

“He is now under court supervision and must settle his court’s case in accordance with the law,” he said in a phone interview with Khmer Times yesterday. 

Veasna said Sarom’s case was not politically motivated but carried out under the rule of law. 

He added that 52-year-old Sarom, together with five others, were convicted in absentia of robbery under Articles 533 and 357 of the Criminal Code and sentenced to five years jail. 

Sarom, he added, was detained on Tuesday. 


Stung district police chief Colonel Yorng Sam said Sarom and five others had entered a businessman’s house in Trapaing Chor village on October 31, 2002, and left with a generator and some of the victim’s belongings. 

Col Sam added that the businessman was also assaulted by the six suspects.

“Police arrested Sarom on Tuesday over this matter and we are looking for the other five suspects,” Col Sam said. 

CP’s vice-president Thach Setha described Sarom’s arrest as political persecution. 

The government, he claimed, was moving to get rid of elected opposition party commune councilors. 

Setha said Sarom was a former Sam Rainsy’s activist and was elected as Chamna Loeu commune councilor in 2012. 

Sarom won the Chamna Loeu commune deputy chief post under Cambodian National  Rescue Party in the 2017 elections. 

“Sarom is a priest and a popular person in Chamna Loeu commune. He is a good person and highly regarded by the people and that is why he won in the recent election,” Setha said. 



According to Setha, Sarom took the generator from the businessman because the man owed Sarom money and did not pay him back. 

“The reason why Sarom took the generator was because he wanted the businessman to settle his debt. Sarom did not take the generator back to his house but kept it in the Chamna Loeu commune hall,” Setha said.

He said the businessman reported the matter but the two parties later settled the dispute at the commune hall. 

“Sarom has been living and serving the commune since that day. He did not flee and he has never received any court’s summon or served with an arrest warrant. 

“This matter happened 20 years ago and that is why we see this as politically motivated more than law enforcement,” he said. 

Sarom’s wife Khat Sotheang, 48, said Sarom was a farmer who cared for the people. 

“Besides working as a farmer and commune councilor, my husband is a priest and many people liked him because he is a good man,” she said. 

“I do not believe he is a robber as accused,” she added.  



Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) spokesman Soeung Sen Kakruna said Sarom’s arrest was politically motivated because it happened after he was elected as Chamna Loeu commune chief in the elections.

“That is why we, the civil society organisations, consider this case is politically motivated and is not law enforcement.

“This is why there is criticism from civil society organizations, the public and the international community for the violation of human rights in Cambodia,” he said. 

He said that the civil society organizations would monitor Sarom’s case to ensure compliance with human rights as well as the law.  












 

 

 

 


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