The National Police’s Criminal Investigation Department sent Seng Sopheaktra, 47, to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday for soliciting bribes and issuing death threats while disguised as a two-star police major-general working at the Ministry of Interior.

The ministry’s Criminal Police Department’s administrative office chief Mom Chek said Sopheaktra was arrested in Chroy Changva district’s Chroy Changva commune.

An illegally obtained Glock 26 pistol was found on him during the arrest, he said.

Chek said late last year Sopheaktra extorted $15,000 from a citizen to help process documents which would help his son gain entry into the National Police force.

He said after Sopheaktra failed to keep his promise, the victim requested his money back, but Sopheaktra refused and threatened to shoot him if he continued to ask.

The victim filed a restraining order which led to Sopheaktra’s arrest.

Department head Ngeng Chou confirmed Sopheaktra would face charges. “Our officials have already questioned and sent him to court. The suspect was arrested for cheating and threatening to kill people,” he said.

Deputy prosecutor and court spokesman Kuch Kimlong confirmed he has received the case file.

“I forwarded it to the prosecutor who is still questioning Sopheaktra in line with to procedures,” he said.