An army general in Preah Sihanouk province was arrested by Military Police officials on Tuesday after the provincial court ordered he be taken into custody following allegations of land grabbing.

Preah Sihanouk Provincial Court Investigating Judge Laot Phary ordered that Chhorn Phlom be arrested for grabbing land in the Sihanoukville’s Bit Traing commune and occupying the land.

According to the judge, Phlom was a general in the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and a former activist for the Sam Rainsy Party.

He refused to provide any additional details of the case or the charges that had been brought against Phlom.

However, Khun Sarun, a commune councillor in Bit Traing, said she was aware of the case and that Phlom had taken land in the O’Trav and Otres areas along the beachfront.

“Yes, he is involved in the land grabbing of people in the O’Trav and Otres areas, but I do not know the size of the land,” she said yesterday.

Eng Hy, spokesman for the Military Police, declined to comment beyond saying officers were following instructions from the court.