The elder Oknha faces charges of premeditated murder and illegal possession and use of weapons.

In addition to the charge of premeditated murder, which carries a possible life sentence, Srey Sina also faces charges of possession and illegal use of a weapon. Elder Oknha was also stripped of his honorary title by a June 20 royal decree issued by King Norodom Sihamoni.

Deputy National Police Chief and Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Chuon Narin, who led the investigation into the case, told reporters that after arresting the suspects, Phnom Penh Municipal Police collected evidence and witnesses linked to the murder.

“First, the crime was blatant and indisputable. Second, to ensure the weight of the charges and avoid any litigation or defense, we gathered witnesses and evidence in and around the crime scene to strengthen all elements of the prosecution of premeditated murder,” he said. said.

“Premeditated murder is the cruelest crime. In this case, it resulted in the loss of two lives and two injuries. This was premeditated murder, and the deaths and injuries of others constitute a aggravating burden,” he added.

According to Article 200 of the Penal Code, “premeditated murder” is defined as murder committed with prior planning or by ambush. Premeditation involves a plan conceived in advance to commit an attack against the victim.

He adds that an ambush consists of lying in wait for another person with a view to committing acts of violence against them.

“Premeditated murder is punishable by life imprisonment,” we read.

Phnom Penh Municipal Police referred the case to the National Police Criminal Department for further legal action.

Narin said the department decided to charge a total of three people, including Sina (the shooter) and two accomplices. He noted that one accomplice took the attacker to the scene to commit the crime, and the other helped Sina escape the scene by car.

“In this case, we have clear evidence to charge those who facilitated the suspect's escape and prepared the crime. Both [men who gave Sina] the means to get to the scene and the means to commit the crime were arrested. That’s good enough for the case,” he said.[SD1]

Additionally, the tycoon faces charges of storing and using illegal weapons.

“With consideration, the weapon which [Sina] used appears to be illegal. He appeared to have permission to use it before, but that has now expired. This constitutes illegal possession of a firearm, punishable by a minor penalty. However, the most serious charge is premeditated murder,” he said.

Touch Sokhak, a spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said only ministry forces with the rank of colonel or above are allowed to possess weapons. He noted that this also includes other officials such as district, capital and provincial governors, department directors or directors-general.

He stressed that citizens who do not have a role in this framework do not have the right to use weapons, as defined in the Arms, Explosives and Ammunition Management Act.

“Ordinary people, including [former] The Oknha, who do not hold public office, have not received legal concessions to use weapons. Therefore, its use, storage and possession of the weapon is illegal,” Sokhak said.

“So there is the crime of using or possessing an illegal weapon in addition to the crime he committed in relation to the murder,” he added.

He stressed that the legal use of weapons aims to protect security, safety and social order, and they can also be used in self-defense if necessary. However, the use of self-defense must be proportionate; the shooter should only be free of criminal charges if the other party also owns a gun.

Sokhak declined to provide further details about the source of the weapon Sina possessed because the case is still under investigation and revealing such details could affect the effectiveness of the ongoing investigation. .

He also explained why the police did not immediately handcuff Sina. He added that suspects are not always handcuffed, especially when there is not yet enough evidence and when the court has not yet decided whether the person is guilty.

“We did not yet have solid evidence that this person was the shooter or murderer. We simply followed the target to see if he was part of the group that could have committed the crime,” Sokhak said.

“We only suspected him, so we asked for his cooperation. [In the video] we see him standing bravely, showing that he was not a police target,” he added.

After that, he said the police asked him to get into a car and took him to the police station for further questioning.

“When the police arrived at the station, they questioned him professionally until he confessed that he had indeed committed the crime. Immediately, the police handcuffed him with his hands behind his back,” Sokhak added.

He pointed out that before Sina was handcuffed, police did not have access to security camera footage from the scene because they did not have the password to immediately access the footage. They continue to search for the code to examine all the footage from the cameras as further evidence.

Yong Kim Eng, chairman of the People's Center for Development and Peace (PDP Center), said if there is legal authorization for a tycoon or individual to use a weapon, the state should authorize it. review and revise it as the individual may not have authorization. clear understanding of firearm use.

“If he stole it or bought it illegally, he should be punished more severely. We must also punish those who illegally supplied him with this weapon,” he said.

“The sale and possession of weapons in an anarchic manner presents a high risk for social security, which the State must monitor and control,” he added.

Narin said that for civilians, the possession, storage and use of explosive weapons is completely illegal.

He said that in addition to restricting and controlling the appropriate use of weapons by police officers authorized to use them, expert police work hard to investigate and control the transportation of illegal weapons.

Srey Sina, 50, and two of his accomplices were referred to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to continue legal proceedings related to the shootings that killed two people and injured two others at Borey Peng Huoth in Boeung Snor, Niroth commune in the Chbar Ampov district of Phnom Penh.