Two monks in Battambang defrocked for weapon charges

Horn Sophanny, 24, from Battambong's Domrey Sar Pagoda was defrocked and sent to court yesterday for illegal possession of a gun. Photo supplied

Thu, 22 June 2017

Khouth Sophak Chakrya

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A Battambang monk was defrocked and sent to court yesterday for illegal possession of a gun, a day after another monk in the province was arrested for slashing a third monk across the face with a cleaver for playing his radio too late at night.

Horn Sophanny, 24, of the Domrey Sar pagoda in Battambang city, was accused of having “caused an impact on Buddhism and possess[ing] a weapon illegally”, according to a police report obtained by Heng Sayhong, of the provincial rights group Licadho.

According to Sayhong, the authorities had not finished interrogating Sophanny as of yesterday evening.

In a separate case, a monk was also defrocked and arrested in Battambang on Tuesday on charges of “intentional violence” for slashing another monk.

Thmor Kol District Police Chief Phong Sopheap said Thy Borey, 25, of Rong Chrey pagoda is accused of cutting fellow monk Srae Sros, 37, with a cleaver. Sros sustained a serious gash to the left side of his face, he said.

The attack occurred after Borey became furious with Sros for playing his radio at a high volume late at night.