Disgraced former Phnom Penh Municipal Court President Ang Maltey has had his sentence reduced by six months by royal decree.
Maltey was given a three-year sentence in early 2016 for “unlawful exploitation” of his position for appropriating an Audi SUV confiscated as evidence from a drug dealer, but one year of the sentence was suspended.
In a letter from King Norodom Sihamoni dated November 17, the King requested that Maltey’s sentence be reduced by six months, along with 45 other offenders.
The letter said Maltey met all of the requirements for a sentence reduction, including displaying good behavior.
He is now due to be released in mid-February.
Chin Malin, Ministry of Justice spokeswoman, said Maltey would not be able to work in the judicial profession after his release. “He will be a normal citizen after being released.”
Critics pointed out that pro-opposition detainees had not been granted sentence reductions.
Am Sam Ath, monitoring manager at local rights group Licadho, said the government had acted unfairly.
“When those who benefited the ruling party were sentenced, they often received amnesty or have their penalty reduced. Even if they were charged with the same offense, they were often sentenced differently.”
