CPP expels former Takeo governor accused of murder

Former Takeo Governor Lay Vannak, who is charged with murdering his mistress, leaves the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in a police vehicle earlier this month. The CPP announced on Tuesday that Vannak had been expelled from the party. Pha Lina

Former Takeo governor Lay Vannak, who is facing murder charges in the death of his mistress, has been expelled from the CPP.

A decree signed by Senate President Say Chhum on April 18 and made public by Fresh News on Tuesday announced Vannak’s removal from the CPP, citing party statutes and other internal regulations.

Vannak and his brother, provincial Deputy Police Chief Lay Narith, are charged with murder in the death of 36-year-old National Assembly staffer Chev Sovathana, who was found hanged in her room in Takeo in January in what police originally ruled a suicide.

Before he was arrested, Vannak admitted to the affair with Sovathana but denied any involvement in her death, calling it a suicide.

Two others – Vannak’s driver Men Sakmay and Choem Vuth, the husband of the victim’s maid – have also been charged with “concealment of evidence.”

Vannak was removed from his post as governor in late March without explanation, just weeks before his arrest. Since the beginning of this year, four provincial governors have left their posts, including Vannak.

Contact author: Mech Dara

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