Wednesday, August 23, 2006

S'pore To Return Heng Pov at Visa's End: Police

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

By Douglas Gillison
THE CAMBODIA DAILY


The Criminal Investigation Department of the Singapore police has pledged to return former Phnom Penh police chief Heng Pov to Cambodia after his one-month visitor pass to Singapore expires Saturday, a senior Cambodian police official claimed Tuesday.

The disgraced former police chief left Cambodia on July 23 but traveled three days before entering Singapore on July 26, meaning his visit pass would no longer be valid as of Sunday, the senior police official said on condition of anonymity.

Asked if a return Sunday was definite, the official said this depended on the Singaporeans.

"We are not sure," he said. "This is the promise of Singapore. They will deport this man from Singapore to our country.

"The CID of Singapore promised us if the visa is finished the law of Singapore can send this man back to his own country."

David Chen, an Australia-based attorney acting for Heng Pov, said he was not aware that his client may soon be deported back to Cambodia.

"I don't wish to make any comments at all," he said by telephone. "I think you're putting [Heng Pov’s] life in danger," he added.

Singaporean Embassy Second Secretary Jonathan Urn said Monday that Cambodians arriving in Singapore automatically receive 14-to-30day "social visit passes" that can be extended following an application process.

The embassy would not comment further on the Heng Pov affair, he added.

"Cambodian and Singaporean police are in contact with each other so it's not appropriate for us to comment on the case," he said.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The comparable legend of Dab Chhuon fall out with Sihanouk seems replay in Heng Pov vs Hun Sen behalf.