Kamarutin Suhaimi. - Khmer Times
PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Kamarutin Suhaimi, the son of a high-ranking Islamic cleric, has been remanded in custody for the rape of four underage girls – including a one-year old – at a school dormitory in Phnom Penh.
The suspect was remanded in custody by the Investigating Judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court at Correctional Center 1 (M1) on charges of aggravated defamation and aggravated assault.
He is accused of committing crimes at the Anniek Mae Al-Islam Institute Phnom Penh II in Group 1, Village 04, Sangkat Chrang Chamres 1, Khan Russey Keo, Phnom Penh during March, September and October 2024.
The criminal offenses are punishable by law. Articles 247 and 248 of the Penal Code.
Prior to his detention, Plang Sophal, a spokesman for the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, confirmed that the prosecution had opened an investigation into the the following offences:
* First: aggravated rape related to the perpetrator under Article 240 of the Penal Code.
* Second: Aggravated assault related to the perpetrator and aggravating circumstances related to the victim under Article 247 and Article 248 of the Penal Code.
Police arrested Mr Kamarutin on October 15, 2024.
The suspect was brought in for questioning but did not confess, evading responsibility.
After questioning, the prosecutor allowed the police to detain the suspect and build a case to be sent to court for legal proceedings.
He is charged with the rape of 4 victims (13-years-old, one-year-old, 14-years-old and two-years-old).
The allegations came to light after a post on Angrut Media on Friday, which claimed that at least six female students studying at the Madrasan An-niman Al-Islamiyan Al-Thanaiya were allegedly sexually abused by Suhaimi.
Sos Kamry, the Chairman of the Highest Council for Islamic Religious Affairs in Cambodia, said that “it was a rumour”, claiming that his son did not commit any crime, and urged authorities to conduct an investigation for this case.
“After receiving the news, I asked my son several times to find out the truth and he denied that he committed any offence as rumoured,” he said. “I support finding the truth in order to provide justice to the victims.”
On Saturday, the General Management of the madrasa issued a statement denying that the incident occurred at the school, but confirmed that Kamarutin Suhaimi is the Manager of Public Security, Order, Hygiene and Health in the school’s female dormitory.
The statement said that on the afternoon of October 5, 2024, the female students told the school’s administration that Suhaimi had used inappropriate words, behaviour and gestures towards some students.
The statement said that the students are now studying normally, and a small number of them asked permission to visit their families.
“However, a group of people have involved some female students to serve their political ambitions to attack the school,” it said. - Khmer Times
