Thursday, 13 January 2011

Cambodian court formally charges Veera with spying



via CAAI

By The Nation

A Cambodian court on Wednesday accused two Thais including Veera Somkwamkit, a leader of Thai Patriots Network of spying.

Another Thai charged with spying is Ratree Pipattanapaibul, secretary of the network.

The two were among seven Thais already accused of illegally entering Cambodia and entering a Khmer military post without permission. One of the seven was Panich Vikitsetr, a Democrat MP.

The seven were arrested on December 29 while inspecting a field in Sa Kaew's Kok Sung district, opposite to Banteay Meanchay province of Cambodia.

Thai Foreign Ministry's spokesman Thani Thongpakdee said Wednesday that after charging them, the Cambodian court allowed Veera and Ratree to testify against the charge.

Chavanond Indharakomalasutr, Thai FM's secretary, said in Bangkok that Veera refused to testify through an interpreter of the Cambodian court.

Veera said he would testify only through an interpreter provided by Thai embassy in Phnom Penh. Chavanond said Thai embassy is willing to do as requested but Cambodian law seems to prohibit to do so.

So the embassy will seek permission for Veera's wishes.

Chavanond said he has not yet received reports about Ratree.

Veera used to be arrested on charge of illegal entry last year near the site where he was held this time.

After the hearing, the two were brought back to Prey Sor jail where they were detained since they were taken from the border to Phnom Penh, Thani said.

Referring to five others suspects, Thani said the Cambodian side has not yet set date of delivering the verdict.

The seven Thais last week testified against charge of illegal entry. They told the court that they entered Cambodia by accident.

Meanwhile Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban visited border province of Si Sa Ket which is adjacent to Cambodia.

He was accompanied by Army Commander in Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.

Suthep insisted that his inspection trip to Si Sa Ket had no bearing on the Thai-Cambodian relations.

"My trip is about a reafforestation project in honour of His Majesty, and he wanted to thank soldiers and participants for reafforestation in Kanthararak district.

He denied any linkage to today's Cambodian judicial inquiry on additional espionage charges against two of seven detained Thais in Phnom Penh.

When asked about the detained Thais, he said the government had already assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to be the primary agency in charge of assisting in the legal defence and commenting on related issues.

He said, however, that he understands the Cambodian court is expected to rule on the case within this week.

He reaffirmed good neighbourly ties with Cambodia in every aspect.

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