The manager of the capital’s Tuol Pongro market, along with her husband and two security guards, has been arrested for extorting rent from street vendors. ACU
The Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) has detained the head of Phnom Penh’s Tuol Pongro market, along with her husband and two security guards. They are accused of illegally collecting “rent” from street vendors outside the market, reportedly a common occurrence in the capital. The case has been forwarded to the municipal court.
The four individuals were identified as married couple Nai Danet and Bun Sin, as well as Mei Saphat and Samak Chhan, both security guards at the market, located in the capital’s Por Senchey district.
“The four individuals are suspected of corruption related to the offense of collecting non-tax revenue without state authorisation, as stipulated in Articles 89 and 97 of the Law on the Management of Non-Tax Revenue, and for acting as accomplices, as per Article 29 of the Penal Code,” ACU spokesperson Soy Chanvichet told The Post.
He explained that the two security guards, acting under the orders of Danet and Sin, collected money from street vendors.
The four were arrested by ACU officers on May 18 and sent to the municipal court on May 20.
Plang Sophal, spokesperson for the court prosecutor’s office, confirmed with The Post today that the prosecutor has received the case and is dealing with it.
According to Article 89 of the Law on the Management of Non-Tax Revenue, individuals who violate this law face imprisonment from 1 to 3 years and a fine of 50 million to 100 million riel (up to $25,000).
