The ‘plastic killers’ Sok Sam Oeun, left, and Born Samnang are led away after their conviction. Bradley Cox, inset, made a documentary that shows the pair were scapegoats. Right, Chea Vichea’s funeral procession.

The arrest of Cambodia's former police chief Heng Pov and his ongoing prosecution for an amazing array of

serious crimes - the murder of a judge, shootings, kidnaps and extortion - could have a positive outcome.

The Hun Sen regime has strong grounds for a judicial review of the jailing of two men, widely seen as scapegoats, for the murder of former trade union leader Chea Vichea.

American film-maker Bradley Cox, who now lives in Bangkok, made the documentary "Plastic Killers" about the prosecution of Born Samnang and Sok Sam Oeun for the killing of Chea Vichea.

Anyone who has seen the 50-minute film, aired at the Foreign Correspondents Club late last year, knows the jailing of these men was a sham. But few Cambodians have seen Cox's film.

Police say it's illegal

"When we released it the police said the film was illegal ... and went to the markets [in Phnom Penh] and confiscated all copies," he said.

Cox, 51, was originally hired by USAid to make a film on the 2003 national election. He got to meet Chea Vichea, head of Cambodia's biggest garment union, who got a death threat for favouring the opposition.

Chea Vichea, revered for being strong, straight and clean in a land where corruption is rife, was shot at a news-stand in Phnom Penh in January 2004. Cox got to the spot in minutes and captured dramatic scenes.

Biggest funeral

The funeral was one of the biggest seen in Phnom Penh, joined by tens of thousands.

But the prosecution in August 2005 and subsequent appeal were a farce.

"Both at the trial and appeal the defence brought witnesses who verified the defendants' alibis and both times the prosecutors presented no witnesses. All they had were statements from people who never showed up. Born Samnang had a rock-solid alibi. He was 60km away and had a whole village to back him on that. They all remember 'cos it was Chinese New Year and he was with his girlfriend and all the neighbours."

The truth

Cox says he decided to make a separate documentary on the killing, because "people should know what really happened". It's hard to see a Khmer doing such a film, given the risks.

The newspaper-seller who witnessed Chea Vichea's slaying agreed to talk on camera, but she has since left the country, escorted by Cox on a flight to Bangkok, before getting asylum overseas.

Cox also felt it wiser to shift to Thailand after attempted break-ins at his home. "I feared my tapes would disappear under the guise of a robbery."

There have been rumours the "Plastic Killers" may be released, because of the arrest of Heng Pov, who played a big role in the case, and the fact there's an election this year, but Cox was cautious. "If the Supreme Court says 'no', the only thing left for them is a pardon from the king."

By Jim Pollard

Daily Xpress