Tuo Thien Tey, the former deputy governor of Bantey Meanchey province, was arrested Monday under suspicion he ordered the arson of an excavator in a July land dispute.
Tuo Thien Tey, who defected from Funcinpec to the Cambodian People's Party early this year, was brought to Phnom Penh from the northern province to face charges.
Funcinpec Secretary-General Nhiek Bun Chhay said Monday Tuo Thien Tey may have put his brother up to setting fire to the equipment, as a result of land disputes.