Cambodian judge begins questioning 7 detained Thais

06 Jan, 2011

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's investigating judge Chaing Sinat on Thursday morning begins questioning the seven Thais who were arrested on Dec. 29 last year for illegal border crossing into Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province.

The additional inquest is being held from 7:40 a.m. at Phnom Penh Municipal Court. The seven Thais will be questioned one by one by the judge.

Pich Vicheka, one of the two defense lawyers for the seven detained Thais, told Xinhua before the additional inquest that the defense lawyer Ros Aun and he have prepared the bail requests already and will request to the court as soon as the inquest session is over.

The seven Thais include Panich Wikitsate, a Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok, Veera Somkwamkid, secretary general of People Network Against Corruption and Thailand Patriot Network core member and other five people in the yellow-shirt group.

They were arrested on Dec. 29, 2010 by Cambodian border protection army for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and now were being detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar prison.

On Dec. 30, the deputy prosecutor of Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Sok Roeun charged them with illegal entry and illegally entering a military base along the border, crimes which in Cambodia carry penalties of up to six months and one year, respectively and fine from 1 million to 2 million Cambodian riels (250 U.S. dollars - 500 U.S. dollars).

The Cambodian-Thai border has never been fully demarcated. And the two sides have had border conflict just one week after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was registered as World Heritage Site in July 2008.

Since the conflict started, military standoff has been on and off along the two countries' border and several military clashes have already happened with recorded small causalities from both sides.

However, the border issue has been eased as the top leaders of Cambodia and Thailand have held four meetings since September. Enditem Cambodian judge begins questioning 7 detained Thais.