Stung Hav district police have sent a suspected ringleader to the Preah Sihanouk provincial police headquarters for questioning in connection with a land encroachment case in Tomnup Rolork commune.

District police chief Ros Key identified the suspect as Oeurn Mab, a 41-year-old air conditioner technician from Chikor commune’s Khtum Kandal village of Tbong Khmum province’s Tbong Khmum district who currently resides in Smach Deng commune of Preah Sihanouk province’s Prey Nop district.

Following his arrest on January 26, he was charged with “incitement to commit a felony” for leading a group of people to grab state-owned and private property.

Key said district police had brought Mab to a special investigation bureau where officers prepared a case file for referral to provincial police to proceed with the case.

“The suspect led a group of people to grab state land in the area of social land concessions in Tomnup Rolork commune last year. Authorities went there to educate them that their activities were prohibited, but the suspect aided and abetted people to block a road in protest and obstruct law enforcement officers. After investigating, we detained him,” Key said.

Police confiscated an SUV and a mobile phone and submitted them as evidence to the provincial police.

Commune police chief Bo Nam said on January 27 that his officers had cooperated with district police, and all reports on the case had been handed over to special investigators.

“Prior to this arrest, we conducted a thorough investigation. Police had once summoned [the suspect] for questioning, but he evaded the summons. He refused to cooperate so we requested authorisation from the top to take action,” Bo Nam said.

Preah Sihanouk Provincial police chief Chuon Narin could not be reached for comment on January 27.