via CAAI News Media
Alleged Logging Kingpin Nabbed
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 02:49 DAP-NEWS
One of the alleged heavyweights of Cambodia’s illegal logging industry was on Tuesday arrested by Fourth Region Army forces led by You Sereivuth, sub-commander of the illegal logging crackdown. The alleged criminal mastermind, named Duch Savoeun but better known as Yeay Mab, has earned a dubious infamy for her alleged direction of forest clearance, most recently in Trobeng Prosat district, Oddor Meanchey province.
The high profile arrest was made at the Bopha Titanic restaurant near the Phnom Penh Port. You Sereivuth told reporters at the scene that, as per the instructions of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, forces have cracked down on illegal loggers. Twelve people, Yeay Mab being the latest, have been arrested, of whom six have been remanded in custody. You Sereivuth vowed to arrest others involved in illegal logging.
“Yeay Mab always threatened Forest Administration Officials and local authorities and never feared anyone,” You Sereivuth said, though he added that authorities “do not know on whom she depends.”
He said that over 500 cubic meters of luxury-grade wood had been confiscated and sent to the Forestry Adminis-tration (FA), and that the detained suspects had been sent for court processing.
Yeay Mab told reporters that she has traded wood for six years but only for making tables and chairs. She claimed that wood she used was secondhand and had already been used elsewhere.
“I do not have legal permission license to do this business, but 60 other such businesses in Trobeng Prosat and Anlong Veng also do not have legal licenses,” she claimed.
Experts to Talk Oil, Gas and Mines
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 02:48 DAP-NEWS
Oxfam America will next week host a seminar on the governance of oil, gas and mine in the Southeast Asia region.
“Over the past years, international corporations and bilateral partners have been eyeing Southeast Asia for oil, gas and hard minerals and for a good reason, Seang Soleak, a press liaison for Oxfam America, told DAP News Cambodia by phone. “Revenues from these resources have a potential to make a dent on poverty and contribute to national development efforts. However, to make this a reality, governance of these revenues must be addressed.”
“Seeing both the opportunities and challenges, international development agency Oxfam is organizing a regional workshop to share experiences and find ways to ensure responsible revenue management of the resources to be generated by the industry,” he added.
“The conference will bring together a mix of international high-level speakers and specialists from across public and private sectors, including companies, governments, international financial institutions, and academia to participate and share their insights and experiences with civil society groups, He said, adding that The conference will be held next week in Phnom Penh. the benefit from oil and gas revenue will help reduce poverty and economic gorwth but all resources in seabed so far.
Two Nigerians Convicted
Wednesday, 24 March 2010 02:46 DAP-NEWS
Two Nigerian men were convicted of drugs trafficking by Phnom Penh Muni-cipal Court on Tuesday, but a further charge of rape has yet to be ruled upon.
An Anti-Human Trafficking Police Officer Ly Sokhun told DAP News Cambodia that the two Nigerians were arrested for drugs offenses but later also charged with rape after a complaint from a Cambodian woman.
Emeka Nwankwo, 21 and Eneknen Chin Talishuche, 33, claimed to be footballers who came in Cambodia in early 2009.
The Cambodian woman claimed the gang with the two suspects had four members, said authorities.
Eneknen Chin Talishuche denied the charges in court, asking to meet the victim face-to-face.
The other suspect said the woman arrived at the men’s rental house in Olympic market as they were eating, before her boyfriend, ‘Chhima’, apparently called police.
The court will reconvene on April 6.
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