Publication : Press Release

In 2005, the Phnom Penh Court convicted and sentenced two men -- Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun -- to 20 years in prison for the murder of renowned labour union leader Chea Vichea in 2004. In April 2007, the Court of Appeals upheld their sentences. Both judgments have been severely criticised as they were primarily based on the confession that Born Samnang had made to the police, prosecutor and investigating judge; a confession that Born Samnang emphatically retracted when interrogated for the second time by the same investigating judge, on the grounds it had been made under threats and promises during his initial interrogation by the police.

Information Source : Cambodia: New Code Must Protect Rights of Suspects in Police Custody to Prevent Torture and Secure Fair Trials

• AHRC-Asian Human Rights Commission