Appeal Date Set In Chea Ratha Acid Case

Tuesday, 27 October 2009 15:03 LAURA SNOOK

An appeal against the acquittal of a former Military Police official accused of involvement in a brutal acid attack against her lesbian lover’s aunt will be heard Wednesday, a court official confirmed Monday.

The appeal was lodged after Chea Ratha, former deputy chief of staff of the Military Police, was found not guilty of masterminding the May 2008 attack that left Ya Soknim, the aunt of prominent beauty queen In Soklyda, scarred for life.

The verdict, announced August 31, was jointly condemned by human rights groups Licadho and the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR).

In a statement released to the media September 2, Licadho director Naly Pilorge said: “What is so shocking in this case is the judges’apparent total disregard of evidence against Chea Ratha and her alleged accomplices.”

Evidence received by Phnom Penh Municipal Court during the yearlong investigation included recordings of phone calls in which Chea Ratha threatened to kill In Soklyda’s relatives, logs of telephone calls for Chea Ratha and her co-defendants on the day of the attack, and a report confirming that acid was found in the home of one of Chea Ratha’s associates, Licadho and CCHR said.

Chea Ratha’s lawyer, Nach Try, said his client – who is believed to have left the country – would not be present at the hearing, the date of which was confirmed by Court of Appeal Deputy President Chuon Sunleng.

Neither Ya Soknim nor In Soklyda could be reached for comment.

Acid Attack Appeal Scheduled

Friday, 23 October 2009 15:02 Mom Kunthear

Photo by: TRacey Shelton

AN appeal lodged in the case of a former Military Police official accused of involvement in a brutal acid attack against the aunt of her lesbian lover will be heard at the end of this month, a court official said Thursday.

Chuon Sunleng, deputy president of the Court of Appeal, said the hearing had been scheduled for the end of October, though he could not recall the precise date.
Chea Ratha, former deputy chief of staff of the Military Police, was charged with masterminding the May 2008 acid attack on Ya Soknim, the aunt of beauty queen In Soklyda, with whom she had been romantically involved. The relationship had turned sour earlier that year, and Chea Ratha blamed Ya Soknim for helping In Soklyda go into hiding, according to accounts of the case provided by rights groups.

The attack was allegedly carried out by two men on a motorcycle, who accosted Ya Soknim and poured acid over her face and upper body. She suffered severe burns as a result, losing her right eye and breast.

The Municipal Court acquitted Chea Ratha and five other suspects last month in a ruling that was condemned by rights groups.

Hong Sopheak, the lawyer for Ya Soknim and In Soklyda, said he did not know whether his clients would attend the hearing because they were out of the country.

He declined to comment on the case beyond saying that he believed the Municipal Court’s verdict was unjust and should be overturned.

Keo Ya, the lawyer for Chea Ratha, said Thursday that his client was also out of the country and had not asked him to represent her for the appeal.

No Justice For Our Dear Friend, Soknim

Updated –  07, September 2009

**I received an update from Bob Craft who is closely linked to Vibol and Soknim.  Here is what he had to say:

“Soknim, while deeply scarred and missing her right ear, has not recently

been suffering from skin infections but has been improving.

This court decision is a real set-back for this family

which has also been trying to deal with huge medical costs related to her care

as well as the trauma of such injuries. Pray for these dear friends.”

Today we found out that Soknim’s attackers have been acquitted of their crimes.  My heart goes out to that entire family as they have tried to bring this case to justice.  We love you Soknim and continue to pray for you and your family!

Anger greets outcome of Cambodian acid attack case

Cambodian human rights groups have criticised the court’s handling of an acid attack case, allegedly involving a senior policewoman and the family of her beauty-queen lover.

In May last year, the aunt of the former model was attacked by two men, who held her down and poured acid over her face and body. Police charged the senior policewoman and six of her associates for attempted killing, but this week a municipal court acquitted them of all charges.

To continue reading, please click the link below:

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/200909/s2675394.htm

Anger greets outcome of Cambodian acid attack case

Cambodian human rights groups have criticised the court’s handling of an acid attack case, allegedly involving a senior policewoman and the family of her beauty-queen lover.

In May last year, the aunt of the former model was attacked by two men, who held her down and poured acid over her face and body. Police charged the senior policewoman and six of her associates for attempted killing, but this week a municipal court acquitted them of all charges.

To continue reading, please click the link below:

http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/connectasia/stories/200909/s2675394.htm

Latest News On Acid Attack!

It has been quite a long time since I have posted something on our dear friend, Ya Soknim.  We knew that her attacker is still in hiding – paying off officials – and not being brought to justice.  Here is some new information below as well as pictures of her attackers and a picture of Sokim herself.

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Soknim and her family remain under constant threat for their lives. Vibol asked for us to continue to pray for Soknim as she was heading back to Vietnam for more surgery.  I asked him for prayer specifics. Incidentally the mastermind of the attack on Soknim is a woman named Chea Ratha and the former police officer who threw the acid (a male) is the one posted in the “Most Wanted” article in Parade magazine as Chandy Seak , # 5 in their slideshow online.

Here are some things you can pray for (From Vibol):

1-For her neck can be move arround after sugery

2-For her arm can be move after surgery

3-For her health good after wake from surgery

4-For financial needs as well,now we have $2700 and we need $1300.USD

for surgery as well and we to pay after 3 days in hospital.

Blessing of the Lord upon you and family and thanks for your love and prayer support.

In Him We Trust

Bro.Vibol

Brief Soknim Update

I received an email from Brother Vibol in Cambodia regarding his wife, Soknim.  We continue to pray for her as she recovers from her burns.

Dear Chris and family
Blessing to you all and thanks for all of you love and pray for me and my wife and family.
Now Soknim in Vietnam for her neck and eye sergery and ear will be later and minor sergery.
-Children now when to private school as well for their security
-For me fine by the grace of the Father in heaven
Blessing you my love brother.
Vibol and family

 

Please continue to keep them in your prayers!

Soknim Recovering

It’s been awhile since I have posted anything on Soknim.  I have received an update and she is doing well considering the amount of surgery she has had.  Please see the note from Vibol below:

July 14th, 2008

Greeting in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ almighty God and Savior.

Here is updating regarding with Soknim.

-Today evening we went and met with Doctor.

-Tomorrow we will go and stay in Hospital and Soknim will get checked again on her wounds

-Soknim will have surgery again this week on her eye and spot for skin graft had been removed because of the pus so many spot.

-Doctor said on her neck and shoulder will be on the next 3 month further as well.

Prayer reguests:

1/God protect on her eye when Doctor is going to surgery in this week.

2/God heal on wound fast and skin scaft on the wound again full of blessing and good

3/Wisdom of God shall be blessing Doctor during operation time

4/Protection of God during we are staying hospital from evil spirit attack in the spiritual realm.

5/Protection of God on family and children back home safe and security from always.

6/Blessing of God on Soknim having enough blood and strength for this coming surgery.

7-For children,now they in home did not out from home at all and just rent teacher to teach in home 2 hours everyday and God bless for coming soon no more fear or threat at all from evil doer.

Thank you so much for all of your prayer support.

Let the Power of God almighty be glorified always on His Children.

In His Love

Brother.Vibol and Soknim

The Cambodian Daily – June, 3rd 2008

Found this tidbit of news – I am unable to validate from the actual “Cambodian Daily” news site, but I’ll post it anyway as I think it is fairly accurate (except for eye being removed — I don’t know about that).

Chea Ratha Denies Involvement in Acid Attack
The Cambodia Daily 2008-06-02 Wanted as the suspected ring leader in a May acid attack, Chea Ratha, who recently was removed as national military police deputy chief of staff, claimed Sunday that she is innocent. Ya Soknim, 35, suffered disfiguring injuries in the May 6 attack and had to have an ear and an eye removed by doctors in Vietnam. The Victim’s family members previously accused Chea Ratha of threatening them with violence following a lover’s quarrel with Ya Soknim’s niece, In Solyda.

June 12th Update on Soknim

It’s been a busy week – I received this email from Vibol (with some editing for grammar) earlier this week, but I am just now posting it.

I have also not heard much from Tim.  I know because of their delay – they have been keeping a very tight schedule and are often up really early and going to bed very late.   I’m sure I will have lots more to write in the coming days.

For now – here is the latest on Soknim:

To : Dear Brother and Sister in Christ
Date : 12 June 2008
Place : Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City
Hospital :Cho Ray
Blessing of the Lord Jesus Christ almighty God to you and your ministry.
Thanks for your love and prayers for my wife Soknim.  As you know I can feel that it is really the Lord moving by His anointing power of healing upon her.

Here is news update regarding Soknim’s health:
After 33 days in Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City of Cho Ray Hospital, for the 3rd time now, she has been operated on her ear, breast, chest and right hand (this is the second operation for the hand) and doctor said operate 1 more times, it will be 4th on the back and neck and ear and hope it will be the last of her operations today 9:30am time in Vietnam. 

From now we may stay at least one month if the sickness can be heal fast, if not more than that ….I would like to ask you all to continue in your prayer more and more.  My family and I are very appreciative so much for your prayers below:
1-For her health be strong
2-For her wound not so painful
3-For her wound operated quickly heal in during the time of curing in hospital
4-For her wound will be operate well and fast healing
5-For her right ear has been operated can be new transplant
6-For her right face, right chest can be transplant
7-For her right ear inside not being damaged, because now we don’t know yet.
8-Pray for her health be good with blessing of God now and next 5-6 months of the flesh processing reproducing new flesh and new skin (from the skin grafts).
9-For Our security while we are in Hospital here in Vietnam, because attacker may follow us here too.
10-For our Children and family security at home in Cambodia to avoid from attacker as well.
11-Prayer that God bless attacker with his blood and forgiveness and cast out evil from them.
12-Continue to pray for our expense needs in Vietnam for hospital healing continue

Finally, my family and I thank God our almighty with love and thanks for all your prayers and support.
In Father Love
Pastor, Vibol and Soknim

Pray For Soknim – Update #2

I received this email below from Vibol on how his wife is doing.  Please continue to lift them all up in your prayers!

——————–

-Soknim now has had a second operation.  After this second operation, she little weak than first operation,because she could not sleep much and had so many dream.

-Her wounds after two operations are more painful with reaction to the Acid attack.

-Saturday and Sunday not many doctors or nurses at all to visit the patients and she had pain we don’t know how we can do …just only cry and pray to God for healing and miracle of God.

-For myself, I am also sick now with a strong fever and all red spot on my body as well and very itchy on my body.  When I take shower more is ok, but if I don’t take much shower that is so itchy and pain, but that is ok with me I can withstand for all of these becuase all of you always keeping me in your love and prayers.

-For my children and family back home they are fine, but not yet go to school because the situation not yet finished and those who attacked and people behind the attack have not been arrested.

Blessing to you all.

Bro.Vibol and family

Update On Ya Soknim

On May 8th, 2008, Ya Soknim was the victim of an acid attack.  We have been praying for Vibol and Soknim ever since…for healing, for strength and comfort.  There are a few links to the news of the attacks, which I have attached.  Please continue to pray for Ya Soknim as she is on her second round of skin grafts.

http://ki-media.blogspot.com/2008/05/in-soklydas-aunt-victim-of-acid-attack.html

http://www.voanews.com/khmer/2008-05-14-voa5.cfm

http://khmernz.blogspot.com/2008/05/ms-mu-sochua-considers-acid-attacks-to.html