Five men were arrested yesterday in Mondulkiri for impersonating Buddhist monks.

Major Sok Pheakdey, a penal military police officer for the Mondulkiri provincial military police, said the men were apprehended yesterday morning after they were discovered wearing saffron robes and begging.

“The five suspects rode a taxi from Kampot, and [pretended to be] Buddhist monks, begging for food and money from people in Mondulkiri,” he said. “After they were arrested, they were sent to the Provincial Department of Cult and Religion for a decision.”

He added that police seized five collection bowls and umbrellas during the arrests.

Touch Reaksmey, chief of the Provincial Department of Cult and Religion, said the men have since been defrocked and transferred to the police, who are preparing to file a court case.

“[The] provincial military police are taking legal action against them,” he explained, adding that, in accordance with the Penal Code, the men could face between one and six years in prison if charged and found guilty.