Phnom Penh, February 20, 2025 – The Supreme Council of Magistracy has dismissed Ms. Pich Maren, the President of Takeo Provincial Court, for her decision to release a prisoner convicted of murder who had not served the required two-thirds of his total sentence.

The dismissal follows a serious violation of Article 513 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which stipulates that a convicted prisoner must serve at least two-thirds of their sentence to be eligible for conditional release. Ms. Maren's actions came under scrutiny after she granted conditional release to an individual serving an 11-year sentence for murder, having only completed 5 years, 1 month, and 2 days of that sentence.

The controversy intensified when Ms. Maren posted a message on Facebook on February 19, 2025, in which she expressed her feelings about her situation. In her post, she stated, “…I made a small mistake, but was sentenced to a long prison sentence without any forgiveness, without any mercy, and without any chance for myself, even though I tried to improve…”. This message indicated her dissatisfaction with the judicial process rather than acknowledging an error in her decision. 

An investigation was initiated by the Ministry of Justice following concerns about Ms. Maren's handling of the case after she released the convict. The investigation revealed that the National Commission for Conditional Release had advised against the prisoner’s release due to his insufficient time served. 

The Disciplinary Council convened to address the issue, inviting Ms. Maren to defend her actions. After careful deliberation, the Council found her decision to release the convict to be a significant breach of judicial protocol.

As a result, the Disciplinary Council imposed a second-degree sanction, transferring Ms. Maren to the position of Deputy Chief Justice of another Provincial Court. This decision was reviewed at the Supreme Council of Magistracy's 38th session on February 19, 2025, and is subject to appeal under the provisions of the law governing the council.

The announcement emphasized that Ms. Maren's release order pertained to a convicted murderer serving a sentence mandated by a final court judgment. It clarified that any requests for release based on humanitarian grounds are the prerogative of the Head of the Royal Government, not the court.

The Disciplinary Council reiterated its commitment to upholding judicial standards and ensuring public trust in the legal system, highlighting the essential role of the courts in maintaining security and social order.