A corrupt former high-ranking official at the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications was yesterday sentenced to seven years in prison by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Chem Sangvar, 46, the former director of inspection at the ministry, was accused of embezzling about $100,000 from state coffers and lying to the Anti-Corruption Unit about his assets.

Presiding judge Taing Sunlay said Sangvar was fined $200,000 and would also have $500,000 worth of his assets seized by the government because he did not declare them to the ACU.

The court determined these assets were accrued using stolen funds He was arrested in May but did not appear in court yesterday. Sangvar could not be reached for comment.