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Court of Appeal Delays Hearing for Two Jailed Men


Court of Appeal in Phnom Penh today announced it will delay the hearing of Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun, who were found guilty of murdering union leader.

Court of Appeal's Chief Justice, Saly Theara, announces that the appeal will be postponed because one judge was sick. It's not known when the hearing will be.

The two men were accused of killing the Cambodian Free Trade Union's President, which occured two years ago.

Many, including former King Norodom Sihanouk, do not believe that the two men are guilty. Human Rights Watch Asia and Amnesty International issued a statement on Wednesday, urging the Cambodian government to release Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun. Also, they requested for the government to restart the investigation.

Their statements came after the owner of the newsstand, where Chea Vichea was shot, issued a four-page statement. She claims that, these two men were not the killers, because she saw the face of the real killer.

Ms. Var Sothy, is currently in Bangkok seeking political asylum from UNHCR. She fled Cambodia after Chea Vichea's murder.

Born Samnang and Sok Samoeun appeal to Prime Minister Hun Sen and former King Norodom Sihanouk to intervene on their behalf and and help them to get out of jail.

Opposition party and local human rights NGOs express concerns about the Court of Appeal's decision, in delaying the hearing.

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