Major general Chan Sam Ath was detained by Strung Treng Police Commissariat officials last Thursday for allegedly clearing 70ha of state land in Sralao village, Anglong Chrey commune, Thala Barivat district.
Stung Treng provincial administration spokesman Men Kong told The Post on Sunday that the Commissariat will question Sam Ath and arrange a court case, but they have not yet sent the case to court.
Kung said authorities confiscated three pieces of land-clearing equipment during their investigation.
He said the order to detain Sam Ath and seize the machinery came from Stung Treng’s governor Mom Saroeun.
Stung Treng Provincial police chief Outh Sivutha could not be reached for comment on Sunday.
Rights group Adhoc provincial coordinator Bey Vanny, said: “We strive to protect state property. We also want to see the arrest of other officers who abused their power by taking state land as their property.”
