PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — A Cambodian real estate developer, whose brutal murder of a young couple ignited significant public anger, received a sentence of 31 years in prison on Monday. The Municipal Court of Phnom Penh determined that this was the maximum penalty for Srey Sina’s actions, in addition to mandating him to provide over $2 million in restitution to the families of the victims.
Srey Sina, aged 51, was convicted of the deliberate shooting deaths of 27-year-old Long Lysong and his fiancée Khin Kanchana, 25. This tragic event took place on June 17 during a dispute over property between neighbors in Phnom Penh. The incident left two other individuals in their early twenties with minor injuries and was shocking enough to be recorded by surveillance cameras, with the footage swiftly circulated across social media platforms.
Reports indicate that Srey Sina claimed he acted out of anger after Long Lysong spoke to him disrespectfully. The case garnered widespread media attention, drawing focus not only for the seemingly random nature of the couple’s murders but also due to the fact that the defendant held the title of Oknha. This honorific is typically awarded to business figures who contribute significantly to governmental causes.
During the trial held on December 6, the court sentenced Srey Sina to 15 years in prison specifically for the two homicides and concurrently required him to compensate each victim’s family with $1 million. Since Cambodia has abolished the death penalty, he was also given a separate sentence of 15 years for attempted murder and illegal use of a weapon concerning the two individuals who were injured. Additionally, a one-year prison term and a fine were imposed for trespassing in a private residence.
The Oknha title is often linked with powerful business moguls who are seen as supportive associates of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, which has maintained a grip on power for nearly forty years. With approximately 1,300 individuals holding this title, many are not well-known public figures.
There is a prevailing belief that possessing the Oknha title can lead to a sense of immunity among the wealthy, often perceived as a way to bypass legal consequences or evade governmental oversight. Even following Srey Sina’s arrest, many were doubtful he would receive appropriate punishment. In response to the public outcry following the incident, several high-ranking officials publicly condemned the killings, reflecting the societal demand for justice in this high-profile case.
