Moeung Sonn granted pardon after six-year in exile

Published: 12-May-15

Photo file of Moeung Sonn

PHNOM PENH (The Cambodia Herald) -- Moeung Sonn, former president of Khmer Civilization Foundation, was granted royal pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni after almost six-year living in exile, according to a royal decree received by The Cambodia Herald today. 

Moeung Sonn was sentenced in absentia to two years in jail and fined 7 million Riel (some 1,700 us dollar) by Phnom Penh Municipal Court, following a complaint filed against him by the government. 

He was found guilty of distributing disinformation over a controversial lighting projects planned at world heritage Angkor Wat temple. 

Before he was sued by the government, he said in a new conference that the workers carrying out to install new lights at the temple drilled holes into the temple's walls. 

But the government and Apsara National Authority denied his claim, stating that installing of light didn't affect the temple. 

The company invested in this project removed all the lights after that.