The trial of fugitive tycoon Thong Sarath’s parents on possession of illegal weapons charges will begin on Friday, officials said yesterday.

The trial of Thong Chamroeun, 63, and Keo Sary, 55, comes almost four months after the pair were charged for allegedly possessing 11 rifles that were seized from a property they owned during an investigation into allegations that their son masterminded the killing of a rival businessman.

Sarath, owner of the Borey 999 development project, was charged with ordering the murder of Shimmex Group owner Ung Meng Cheu on November 22. He is still at large.

After their initial arrest, the duo were released on bail on February 7, but were re-arrested while en route to Vietnam. The fallout from the alleged attempt to abscond led then-Phnom Penh Municipal Court President Ang Maltey to lose his job.

A far-reaching investigation was announced into Maltey’s reign as court president, which other court officials claimed was characterised by rampant corruption. A Justice Ministry spokesman said the inquiry had “found some results”, but he could not yet disclose the details.