A former adviser to Senate President Hun Sen who was accused last month of soliciting bribes has been arrested after confessing in a six-minute video that he defrauded millions of dollars from people who sought favors and government positions.
Ly Sameth said in the video, which was posted on Hun Sen’s Facebook page on Monday, that he had “made the most serious mistake that affects the honor and dignity” of Hun Sen, who served as prime minister for more than three decades before stepping down last year.
Hun Sen retains power as Senate president and as head of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, or CPP. As party president, Hun Sen appointed Ly Sameth as his personal adviser on Feb. 22, 2022.
“Yes, I used the Samdech’s name to get other people’s money,” an emotional Ly Sameth said in the clip, using an honorific to refer to Hun Sen. “This is true and this is not the first time, and not only that, I even said that all the money was handed over to Samdech.”
Authorities arrested Ly Sameth in Sihanoukville on Monday.
A detention order from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s investigating judge described him as “a businessman with no education or illiteracy.” He was transferred to Prey Sar prison on the outskirts of Phnom Penh on Tuesday.
Hun Sen wrote on Facebook last month that Ly Sameth had defrauded several Cambodians over the last two years, including one incident in which US$10 million was paid.
That post was apparently prompted by a video message he received from Kan Sok Kay, the recently appointed governor of Kandal province’s Lvea Em district, which is located across the Mekong River from Phnom Penh.
Kan Sok Kay said he gave US$300,000 to Ly Sameth to obtain a different appointment in Kandal province, according to Hun Sen.
“I have signed, appointed and promoted tens of thousands of civil servants and members of the Armed Forces,” Hun Sen wrote. “I never accepted intervention from anyone, no matter what request or bribe.”
Ly Sameth’s assets should be frozen, and Phnom Penh court officials should issue an order to return money he accepted from people, Hun Sen wrote at the time. He assigned his lawyer, Ky Tech, to investigate the various complaints.
Other apology videos
RFA was unable to reach National Police Commissioner Sar Thet and Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Ey Rin to ask about the timing of Ly Sameth’s arrest.
Ly Sameth’s confession video, which was posted before his arrest, was similar to various public apologies and in-person appeals for forgiveness made to Hun Sen in recent years.
Last month, a prominent overseas opposition activist announced in a video that he was switching his allegiance to the CPP, two months after his brother was arrested on incitement charges while trying to flee the country.
Journalist Mech Dara also posted an apology video last month, several weeks after he was jailed and charged with incitement related to social media posts he made in September.
Lawyer Kong Sam Onn, who has represented defendants in many high-profile criminal cases, told Radio Free Asia that authorities should further investigate to see who else was involved in the bribery solicitations.
“The person who bribes, and the person who takes the bribe, are both equally guilty and have the same penalty under Criminal Code and Anti-Corruption Law,” he said.
Translated by Sum Sok Ry and Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.