Despite apology and compensation to the victim, in a meeting on Tuesday, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sar Kheng ordered the authorities to hunt for Sok Bun for legal punishment. “I can’t believe a person who has money, a good reputation and a [royal title] could commit such a crime”, the prime minister said, according to Khmer-language news site Thmey Thmey.
The married property tycoon named Sok Bun said in a statement that he “deeply regretted what happened”, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The attack has outraged ordinary Cambodians in a country where the wealthy often act with impunity.
In a number of statements released this week through his lawyer he admitted carrying out the attack and pleaded for mercy from the public.
It was captured by the restaurant’s security cameras and obtained by the actress known to fans as “Sasa”, who then posted it online.
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — In the grainy black-and-white video the tycoon is seen dragging the actress off a leather couch at a Phnom Penh restaurant. Photos later showed bruises on her face and body.
Sok Bun has reportedly been in Singapore since July 8, the day after a video surfaced online of him attacking local celebrity Ek Socheata at a Phnom Penh restaurant.
But the police officer heading the investigation into the beating, which occurred in the early hours of July 2, said the municipal court had yet to issue an arrest warrant for Mr. Bun, who he said fled to Singapore on Tuesday.
“I wish to publicly apologise for my mistake”, he said.
Sok Bun made no immediate response to Hun Sen’s comments.
Asian Correspondent said the royally bestowed “oknha” title is normally given to those who contribute to the development of the country, usually with a donation of US$100,000 to the state coffers. “Give me another chance to participate in society and in the nation, and to restore honor to my family”.
His initial offer to pay$40,000 to Sasa, later increased to $100,000, was rejected by the actress.
Mr Bun last week resigned as director of joint ventures between his firm and Singaporean partner TEHO global, and also as president of the Cambodian Valuers and Estate Agents Association, the Cambodian media said. He said he now is “absent from Cambodia” and seeking treatment for a stress-related illness, and would return once assured his safety could be guaranteed.
Human rights groups say the case has generated an important public conversation about the elite’s sense of entitlement and about violence against women. “His beating was not to scare me, he was trying to kill me”, she added.
He warned that any authorities who try to protect Sok Bun will also face arrest. He said “I could never have imagined the cruelty if I had not seen this video”.
