The Supreme Court on October 28 upheld the verdict sentencing former Pursat provincial cadastral department director Liem Bunroeun to eight years in prison and the forfeiture of two houses, one car and $17,000.
At the hearing, Presiding Judge Yu Yuthara read the verdict in the presence of Bunroeun and his lawyer, who claimed the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and the Appeal Court did not consider the fact that Bunrouen cooperated with authorities during his arrest and questioning before deciding on the verdict.
Bunroeun requested that the Supreme Court lighten his punishment by allowing him to keep his house in the Borey Peng Huoth gated community in the capital’s Stung Meanchey commune and his house in Pursat province, his car and the $17,000 he paid.
Judge Yuthara said: “The request is not something the Supreme Court can consider. The verdicts and warrants of both courts have been decided already and their decisions were proper as per the law. We, therefore, uphold the lower courts’ verdict.”
According to the court report, Bunroeun was arrested on July 27, last year, following a complaint from a victim who said he demanded $100,000 in exchange for legal certification to construct a company building.
The report said Bunroeun owns a house in Borey Peng Huoth, two houses in Pursat and two cars. He was sent to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) before being referred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
The municipal court first sentenced Bunroeun on February 27 this year on charges of abuse of power and money laundering. The Appeal Court upheld the verdict on October 21.
