PHOM PEHN: A Cambodian court sentenced a former governor to 18 months in prison for shooting three female workers at a factory supplying sportswear giant Puma, a judge said yesterday.
The women, employees of Puma supplier Kaoway Sports, were wounded when a gunman opened fire on protesters demanding better working conditions at factories in eastern Svay Rieng province in February 2012.
Chhuk Bundith, who was removed from his post of governor of Bavet City after the shooting, was sentenced to 18 months in jail after the court found him “guilty” of causing unintentional injuries by shooting, according to judge Leang Sour at Svay Rieng provincial court.
The judge also ordered Bundith to pay $9,500 to the three victims in compensation and issued an arrest warrant for him. Bundith has never been arrested over the shooting and was not present for the ruling. The victims welcomed the court’s ruling and urged that Bundith be arrested as soon as possible. “I am glad with the court’s decision. It provides justice to the three of us,” Nuth Sakhorn, 24, who was shot in the back and arm, said.
But rights groups slammed the sentence as overly lenient, saying he should have instead been charged with attempted murder for shooting into protesters. AFP
