The Siem Reap provincial court, which has charged 14 suspects for an alleged gang rape. The father of the victim has been charged with assaulting one of the suspects. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
PHNOM PENH (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Three additional suspects have been placed in pre-trial detention for the alleged multiple gang rape of a 15-year-old girl in Siem Reap province last month. Their confinement brings the total number of detainees in the case to eight.
The three suspects, aged 15-17, were charged with aggravated rape on Tuesday (May 7), according to a May 8 statement by the Siem Reap provincial court.
“After questioning the three, examining the evidence and considering the facts, the investigating judge ordered them temporarily detained at the provincial prison,” said the release.
“The provincial court will continue to seek justice for the victim, but as of May 9 no additional suspects have been charged or taken into custody,” said provincial court spokesman Yin Srang.
The investigating judge is working on the case. If there are any new developments, we will issue a press release,” he told The Post, adding that there are more than 10 suspects in the case, with the victim alleging that some 20 perpetrators were involved.
The rapes are alleged to have taken place in three different locations in Siem Reap town and Banteay Srei district between April 15 and 17.
The police initially arrested 15 young men. After interviewing the suspects and investigating the evidence, the prosecutor charged 14 of them, with one 15-year-old released without charge due to a lack of evidence.
Following the charges, the investigating judge opted to place five of the suspects in pre-trial detention.
One of the suspects who was placed in pre-trial detention, Long Senglay, 15, was assaulted by the father of the victim as the military police escorted him into court. He suffered facial injuries in the attack.
Following a complaint by Senglay’s mother, the father was charged with intentional violence and remanded into custody by the court.
Minister of Justice Koeut Rith personally intervened with legal advice on his case on May 3, and he was released on the same day. He remains under investigation.
The victim has been placed in the care of the NGO Acting for Women in Distressing Situations (AFESIP), where she is receiving counselling and support. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN
