A senior National Defense Ministry official was permitted to return home Wednesday after questioning about his potential involvement in a $200 million land investment fraud that swindled thousands of Cambodians.
Siem Reap provincial court spokesperson Yin Srang confirmed the release of Sar Thavy, the undersecretary of state for the National Defense Ministry, saying he was “allowed to return” home after appearing for questioning following a summons from an investigating judge, but offered no additional details about the line of questioning.
Thavy, who once held senior government positions in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces, was summoned earlier this month alongside Sean Borath, a senior Education Ministry official, in connection with Brilliant City World. The company’s owner Leng Channa, was arrested in March after thousands of families in Siem Reap province lost substantial investments in her real estate and high-dividend schemes.
Many took out microfinance loans to invest in her offerings.
Thavy did not respond to requests for comment, briefly answering and hanging up when contacted by CamboJA News.
A court document published by the government-aligned Fresh News stated that Thavy faced questioning on charges of money laundering, organized crime fraud and violating financial transaction laws.
Han Seihun, who lost about $40,000 in the investment scheme, said he is following Thavy’s case and hopes victims will soon get justice and restitution.
“It’s an injustice that the case has dragged on this long without a resolution,” he said, adding that many victims were forced to migrate and find new jobs to pay off loans taken for fraudulent investments.
Maly Socheata, spokeswoman for the National Defense Ministry, declined to comment on the case.
Sean Borath, the Education Ministry official summoned alongside Thavy in connection with Brilliant City World and also deputy chief of the Anti-Corruption Unit, is set to face questioning on December 18.