Two men steal Buddha statues, sent to court

Some of the Buddha statues that were stolen from a pagoda. Fresh News

Prey Veng provincial police on Sunday sent two suspects to court for the theft of 14 Buddha statues from a pagoda.

Provincial deputy police chief Pov Chivi told The Post that Sam Vy, 39, and her lover Kong Farith, 36, were arrested by Preah Sdech district police on Friday.

The two are accused of stealing the statues from a chief monk in Prey Chbar Pagoda in Kampong Soeng commune, in Preah Sdech district, Prey Veng province.

“The statues are made of marble, copper and other metals and around 100 years old,” said Chivi.

Preah Sdech district police sent the case to Prey Veng police on Saturday and the statues were returned to the pagoda.

Prey Veng provincial court spokesman Chan Vannak told The Post on Sunday that the suspects have not been charged as yet. “We are still questioning them,” he said.

Preah Sdech district police chief Chey Seng Heang said the suspects who are construction workers, asked the pagoda chief permission to live in the pagoda.

But instead, they returned to their home in Russey Keo district, in Phnom Penh. One day, they went back to visit, after which the monk joined a ceremony in the village.

Heang said that’s when they broke in and stole the statues. Preah Sdech district police caught them at Kampong Soeng commune the same day, 4km from the pagoda.

“The suspects stole statues to sell to an antique dealer in Phnom Penh,” he said.

Contact author: Khouth Sophak Chakrya

MOST VIEWED

Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO
Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in
Ream base allegations must end, urges official
A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical
Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing
To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable
CP denied registration documents by ministry
The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do
Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit
Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former
After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024
The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.