Cambodia's Court of Appeal Upholds Life Sentence for Man Who Killed Niece Alive and Severely Injured Sister

Cambodia's Court of Appeal has upheld a life sentence for a man who killed his niece alive and severely injured his sister, with the defendant claiming "teacher's possession" as the motive. The Phnom Penh Court of Appeal announced on July 28 its decision on the appeal filed by the convicted man, confirming the life imprisonment sentence handed down by the lower court. The defendant has the right to appeal to the Supreme Court within one month from the date of the ruling. Presiding Judge Pol Samoeun stated that the accused is Hang Rotana, also known as "Frenchman," a 34-year-old male who worked as a PassApp driver. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court of First Instance had sentenced Hang Rotana to life imprisonment on December 30, 2025, for premeditated murder, as stipulated by Article 200 of the Penal Code. According to the prosecution's case, on July 1, 2025, at approximately 1:00 PM, at a house located at House No. 45, Street 47, Village 15, Sarachok Commune, Daun Penh District, Phnom Penh, Hang Rotana used a machete to kill his 10-year-old niece. The niece died before being transported to Kunthapok Hospital. After committing the act, the defendant attempted to commit suicide by jumping from the first floor of the house but survived and was apprehended by local police. Before the incident, the defendant was observed pacing outside the house, setting up an altar, burning incense, and playing three traditional Cambodian musical pieces to invite a "teacher." Once the music concluded, the defendant suddenly grabbed his niece, dragged her upstairs, and proceeded with the fatal attack. Witnesses reported that the victim's mother, Hang Sela, rushed to intervene but was too late. The defendant then inflicted stab wounds on himself with the machete and struck his head with an axe before jumping from the first floor in another suicide attempt. He sustained severe injuries and was taken to Calmette Hospital. During the trial, the defendant, Hang Rotana, confessed to his wrongdoing and stated that the reason for killing and stabbing the victims was due to "the teacher entering his body." Source: CEN Cambodia