The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee (CHRAC) a coalition of 21 NGO members, petitions the Appeal Court to release Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun in their upcoming Appeal Court hearing on October 6, 2006.

CHRAC has made investigations into the Chea Vichea assassination, which occurred on January 22, 2004 and continues to believe that Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun have nothing to do with the assassination. CHRAC considers the Phnom Penh Municipal Court's verdict to have been politically motivated. Furthermore, its appears that the police investigation into the assassination involved several now disgraced police officers, some who have now been arrested for criminal activity.

CHRAC believes that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court made its judgment without adequate evidence and did not take into consideration the following: witness testimony for the accused, the testimony of the accused, allegations of torture during police interrogation and allegations of bribery committed by the police who conducted the investigation.

CHRAC hopes that the Appeal Court's hearing will take into consideration the above evidence and a new testimony from key witness present at the moment of the killing, so that they may bring justice to the two men and Cambodia's court system. CHRAC is not alone in believing that these two accused were not the real criminals, many national and international organizations, as well as the public believe that Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun are not the real killers. The King Father, His Majesty Norodom Sihanouk has previously published on his web site a statement saying that he believed the two men are innocent.

For more information, please contact:
▪ Mr. Thun Saray Coordinator of CHRAC and 016 880 509
▪ President of ADHOC
▪ Mrs. Pung Chhiv Kek President of LICADHO 012 802 506
▪ Mr. Sok Sam Eurn Executive Director of CDP 012 901 199
▪ Mr. Chiv Yu Meng President of KYA 012 772 271

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