Two detainees in Cambodia face additional charge

Tue, Jan 11, 2011
The Nation/Asia News Network

The plight of seven Thai nationals detained in a Cambodian jail worsened yesterday when two of them were hit with an additional charge of collecting security information, while Prime Minister Hun Sen insisted that no one could intervene in the Cambodian judicial system.

The lawyer for the seven detainees yesterday submitted a bail request to have them freed. However, it will take five days for the court to consider the request, resulting in a continued stay in the notorious Prey Sar prison.

Speaking to a gathering of college students, Hun Sen said attempts by any party to have them released would not bear fruit, as only the Cambodian courts had the right to rule on the case.

"Intervention from any quarter will not be accepted at this moment," he was quoted as saying by Kyodo News, adding that he did not expect the case to affect relations with Thailand.

The seven Thais, including ruling Democrat Party lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth and yellow-shirt Veera Somkwamkid, were arrested before New Year in a disputed border area near Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaew province while inspecting the location.

Information from the Royal Thai Survey and the Foreign Ministry indicated that they had walked 55 metres into territory actually under Cambodian sovereignty.

A leaked video showed that Panich was aware of the fact that he was walking into Cambodian territory while talking by telephone with an aide to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Panich told the Cambodian court last week that he had crossed the border by accident.

The seven were charged with illegally entering Cambodian territory and unlawfully entering a military base. These charges could lead to a combined 18 months' imprisonment.

Veera, who is leader of a People's Alliance for Democracy faction called the Thailand Patriots Network, and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon now face an additional charge, said Phnom Penh Municipal Court officials, who preferred not to be named.

The charge is one of attempting to "collect information which might damage Cambodia's national security", according to a report by Xinhua news agency.

Veera and Ratree face five to 10 years' imprisonment if found guilty.

Veera and his Thailand Patriots Network group were briefly held by Cambodian authorities at the same location in August last year.

Thai authorities have made several attempts to have the seven currently detained Thais released, but the chances of an early release look slim, as Phnom Penh has refused to make a deal.

Abhisit called a meeting yesterday with Deputy PM Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, but he did not unveil any measures to end the situation.

Hun Sen's remark that no one could intervene in the case followed a rumour that ousted former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra or Pheu Thai Party wanted to mediate over their release.

"There are many comments these days, and also a publication said yesterday that Thaksin or the Pheu Thai Party want to intervene in the case of the seven arrested Thais. I just confirm that no one can intervene in the judicial system - neither the government, nor foreigners, nor Cambodians," he said during a graduation ceremony at the National Institute of Education.

"I tell them that it is impossible, no matter which path you enter from, even from the United Nations, because the case is now under the full authority of the Cambodian court, which must be respected," he was quoted as saying by Xinhua.

After the trial, if convicted they can appeal and then take their case to the Supreme Court if they do not agree with the verdict, Hun Sen said.

-- The Nation/Asia News Network