It has been over a month since the Phnom Penh Municipal Court delivered historic convictions of former Sovann Komar Executive Director, Mr. SOTHEA Arun, and his accomplices Mr. HUN Chenda, Ms. THAY Sinoun, Ms. UNG Veasna Nimol, Ms. POV Sreymom, and Ms. CHEAT Chan Morokat. Charges against SOTHEA Arun include fraud, torture and sexual abuse against children. However, to the astonishment of the public and the victims, Mr. SOTHEA Arun and his accomplices have yet to be apprehended despite outstanding warrants for their immediate arrest.

The court's decision to convict Mr. SOTHEA Arun on multiple charges, including rape, child abuse, and fraud, sent a strong message about the importance of protecting children's rights. Despite the severity of their crimes, the defendants continue to evade arrest, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the police in enforcing justice.

"We are deeply disappointed that Mr. SOTHEA Arun and his accomplices remain free despite the court's verdict," said Mr. Brad Gordon, the legal representative of Sovann Komar. "The children have endured enormous pain and trauma, and it is essential that justice is fully served. We urge the police to take immediate action and ensure that the convicted individuals are promptly apprehended and begin serving their sentences."

The delay in arresting Mr. SOTHEA Arun and his accomplices undermines the confidence of the public in the justice system and jeopardizes the safety of potential future victims. 

The cases against Mr. SOTHEA Arun and the crimes committed at Sovann Komar have highlighted the urgent need for stronger protections for children in Cambodia. This case has exposed the vulnerabilities that children can face. The conviction of Mr. SOTHEA Arun should serve as a catalyst for comprehensive reforms aimed at preventing such horrific crimes from happening again. 

"While we acknowledge the progress made with the convictions, we recognize that more work needs to be done to create a safer environment for children in Cambodia." added Mr. Brad Gordon.

More about the crimes:

Rape Cases

Mr. SOTHEA Arun was convicted of the rape of two young girls from Sovann Komar. He was sentenced to 8 years for each rape case. For one of the rape cases, he must pay damages of 60,000,000 KHR (sixty million) riels to the victim whom he raped repeatedly starting from the age of 6 years old. 

Abuse Case

Mr. SOTHEA Arun was sentenced to four years for committing child abuse at Sovann Komar.   Mr. HUN Chenda and Ms. THAY Sinoun, two foster parents at Sovann Komar, were sentenced to three years each, and Ms. UNG Veasna Nimol, another foster parent, was sentenced to two years and six months in prison. The court ordered Mr. SOTHEA Arun, Mr. HUN Chenda, Ms. THAY Sinoun, and Ms. ENG VEASNA Nimol to jointly pay damages in the amount of 200,000,000 KHR (Two hundred million) riels. 

Fraud Case

Mr. SOTHEA Arun was sentenced to 2 years for fraud. His accomplices, his wife Ms. POV Sreymom, and Ms. CHEAT Chan Morokot, the former accountant of Sovann Komar, were each sentenced to 18 months for fraud. The three defendants  must pay US$1,462,349 in compensation to Sovann Komar.  

Mr. SOTHEA Arun was sentenced to 22 years in prison in total.

Sovann Komar, an International NGO, stands firm in its dedication to providing a safe and nurturing home for children in need.

Sovann Komar, LLC, in collaboration with local and international organizations, urges the Cambodian authorities to take immediate action to apprehend and enforce the sentences of Mr. SOTHEA Arun and his accomplices. The organization will continue to advocate for the protection of children and work to ensure that justice is served in these cases and beyond.