Former Military Officers Seek Sentence Reduction in Bribery Appeal Case

Two former military officers from Cambodia's Takeo province and two owners of illegal cockfighting rings have appealed their prison sentences for bribery and corruption to the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal, seeking reduced penalties. A hearing was held on July 20, 2026. The defendants include Keth Chanthy, 53, former Deputy Commander of the Takeo Provincial Gendarmerie and Head of the Anti-Drug Department, holding the rank of Colonel (5th class). Also charged is Sin Sovannarith, 36, a former Assistant at the Provincial Anti-Drug Office, holding the rank of Second Lieutenant (2nd class). The other two defendants, Sok Ka, 36, and Seng Toun, 42, are identified as owners of illegal cockfighting rings in Tram Kak district, Takeo province. They are accused of paying regular monthly sums to Keth Chanthy and Sin Sovannarith to avoid crackdowns on their illegal gambling operations and to protect their cockfighting businesses. Presiding Judge of the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal, Yorn Narong, stated during the hearing that Keth Chanthy was sentenced by the Kandal Provincial Court in 2025 to 10 years in prison and fined 10 million Riel, to be deposited into the national budget. The court also ordered the confiscation of assets derived from his crimes, amounting to $1,400 USD and over 57 million Riel, to be state property. Keth Chanthy was charged with receiving bribes, abuse of power, and using forged vehicle license plates. Sin Sovannarith was sentenced to 8 years in prison for receiving bribes and abuse of power. Sok Ka and Seng Toun were each sentenced to 6 years in prison for bribery. Dissatisfied with their sentences, all four defendants filed appeals to the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal, requesting a reduction in their penalties. The four defendants were arrested in January 2024 by the Gendarmerie of Kandal Province and sent to the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) for legal proceedings. During the hearing, the four defendants, present in the courtroom with their legal representatives, confessed and acknowledged their mistakes. They implored the judges of the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal to grant them some leniency. The Court of Appeal will announce its verdict in this criminal case on August 13, 2026. It is recalled that on January 1, 2026, the National Gendarmerie apprehended Colonel Keth Chanthy, Deputy Commander of Takeo Provincial Gendarmerie; Lieutenant Colonel Louy Sarom, Chief of Staff of the Tram Kak Gendarmerie base; and Second Lieutenant Sin Sovannarith, Assistant at the Anti-Drug Office. They were taken for questioning at the Kandal Provincial Gendarmerie Headquarters. According to a press release from the National Gendarmerie on January 6, 2026, judicial police officers from the Kandal Provincial Gendarmerie had been investigating cases of murder and drug offenses committed in Kandal, Kampong Chhnang, Phnom Penh, and Takeo provinces. This investigation led to the arrest of three officers from the Takeo Provincial Gendarmerie. Two were sent to the ACU, and one was sent back to the Takeo Provincial Gendarmerie Command for disciplinary action according to general regulations for the armed forces. The press release further stated that based on the confessions of the suspects and documentary evidence, judicial police officers from the Kandal Provincial Gendarmerie on January 5, 2025, sent suspects Keth Chanthy and Sin Sovannarith to the ACU in connection with bribery offenses (receiving money in exchange for not cracking down on drug offenses, illegal gambling, and leaking investigation secrets). Louy Sarom, also referred to as Louy Sarum, was not implicated in bribery but was found to be negligent in his duties and was sent back to the Takeo Provincial Gendarmerie Command for disciplinary action. All rights reserved by CEN