Pheng Kunthea Borey, a former adviser and chief of protocol to Senate President Chea Sim, who the Post reported was free on Wednesday, became so courtesy of a royal pardon, prison officials confirmed yesterday.

Khlot Dara, chief of Prey Sar Prison’s Correctional Center II, said Kunthear Borey, 58, was granted a pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni on Tuesday, but declined to comment further.

Muong Sokun, Kunthea Borey’s lawyer, restated his approval of his client’s release yesterday.

“I am very pleased [that] the King has granted a royal pardon to my client. I am very, very grateful to the King,” he said.

Kunthea Borey was imprisoned for creating fake contracts worth millions of dollars and accepting bribes from bidders to obtain Sim’s signature on letters of approval.