Cambodian PM urges probe into judge for releasing fugitive tycoon's parents on bail

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday asked the Supreme Council of Magistracy, which monitors the judicial system, to investigate a Phnom Penh Municipal Court judge for releasing the parents of fugitive tycoon Thong Sarath wanted for masterminding the murder of businessman Ing Meng Chue in November last year.

"I'd like to ask the Supreme Council of Magistracy to immediately look into a judge who ordered the couple to be released on bail," he said during a graduation ceremony of more than 1,000 students at the Human Resources University.

Without naming the judge, the prime minister said the judge ordered the release of the duo irregularly -- possibly in exchange of 5 million U.S. dollars.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court freed fugitive tycoon Thong Sarath's parents -- Thong Chamroeun, his father, and Keo Savy, his mother -- on bail on Feb. 7 and the authorities arrested them back in prison on Sunday while they attempted to flee to Vietnam in an ambulance.

The pair were charged with illegally possessing eight guns, which were seized from their villas in December while the police hunted for their son, Thong Sarath, who is suspected of being the mastermind behind the murder of diamond and construction businessman Ing Meng Chue on Nov. 22.

Thong Sarath is still at large and five of his bodyguards are being held in prison.

In a speech on Tuesday, Prime Minister Hun Sen also slammed some judges for releasing thieves in exchange of money.

"We arrest thieves, they release them," he said. "When the time comes, I will arrest some court officials who collude with thieves. " Endi