By Prak Chan Thul and Douglas Gillison
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
The motives behind an alleged conspiracy to detonate explosives during this weekend's Water Festival remained unclear Thursday, as government officials remained tight-lipped about the plot.
National Assembly and CPP Honorary President Heng Samrin described the six men, charged by Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday with conspiring to commit terrorism, as "mercenaries" who had planned to use grenades.
"They just wanted to have explosions to make people scared," Heng Samrin said by telephone.
"They are not many. Their aim is to cause explosions in order to cause chaos," he said.
Heng Samrin said he did not know who was behind the foiled operation.
One senior Interior Ministry official said on condition of anonymity that while he did not know the exact motive for the plot, the men had hoped to replace top government officials in the aftermath of the blasts.
"If their plan had been successfully implemented, they would have positions in the government," the official said. "They would replace [National Police Commissioner] Hok Lundy, they would replace [Phnom Penh Governor] Kep Chuktema."
"They are dreaming," the official added.
The men are not members of the Khmer Krom ethnic minority, as reported by a news agency, the official said.
The officials also claimed that no political party has been connected to the alleged conspiracy.
The six suspects, Saing Bunly, 45, Neang Sok, 38, Som Soth, 42, Luos Vanthan, 38, Pov Sam An, 46, and Chan Pithy, 47, are reportedly in Prey Sar prison.
Government spokesmen and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said he was keeping an open mind about the case.
"Let the police do their jobs," he said. "I don't jump to any conclusions."
SRP leader Sam Rainsy said he feared the government could use the plot for political ends.
"This sort of accusation worries me," he said.
"I have no precise allegations but I am skeptical about the basis, the veracity of the acts described," he added. "I hope the government won't use this sort of method to...eliminate potential opponents."
National Assembly and CPP Honorary President Heng Samrin described the six men, charged by Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday with conspiring to commit terrorism, as "mercenaries" who had planned to use grenades.
"They just wanted to have explosions to make people scared," Heng Samrin said by telephone.
"They are not many. Their aim is to cause explosions in order to cause chaos," he said.
Heng Samrin said he did not know who was behind the foiled operation.
One senior Interior Ministry official said on condition of anonymity that while he did not know the exact motive for the plot, the men had hoped to replace top government officials in the aftermath of the blasts.
"If their plan had been successfully implemented, they would have positions in the government," the official said. "They would replace [National Police Commissioner] Hok Lundy, they would replace [Phnom Penh Governor] Kep Chuktema."
"They are dreaming," the official added.
The men are not members of the Khmer Krom ethnic minority, as reported by a news agency, the official said.
The officials also claimed that no political party has been connected to the alleged conspiracy.
The six suspects, Saing Bunly, 45, Neang Sok, 38, Som Soth, 42, Luos Vanthan, 38, Pov Sam An, 46, and Chan Pithy, 47, are reportedly in Prey Sar prison.
Government spokesmen and Information Minister Khieu Kanharith said he was keeping an open mind about the case.
"Let the police do their jobs," he said. "I don't jump to any conclusions."
SRP leader Sam Rainsy said he feared the government could use the plot for political ends.
"This sort of accusation worries me," he said.
"I have no precise allegations but I am skeptical about the basis, the veracity of the acts described," he added. "I hope the government won't use this sort of method to...eliminate potential opponents."
3 comments:
The anonymous official was correct. People in the Cambodian government do get away with killing innocent people in Cambodia.
so it is also true that PP killing nocent pp can not get away?
hm...let's try
It is said that only bad guys are mostly wanted by girls ,because they can do most girls want!!
come on man, dont think so much , please do much more!!
This time, Pricess Norodom Arurasmey conspired with her husband to topple the Prince Norodom Rannarith. Maybe it is very soon in the future, they will destroy the current king too. Why? Because to their experience have shown that both of them are too greedy. One is an embassador of Cambodia to Malaysia and another to Germany. How come does the ex-wife of ex-embassador to Malaysia becoming a embassador with full power representing Cambodia in Malaysia? Does Funcinpec have only two these wife and husband candidates? How about the rest? Maybe the prince selected princess Arunrasmey based in KL just to takecare Ouk Phalla. But, how pitty the prince! The Princess became a crocodile.
Eventhought, don't dream at day time. So that, pls do not belive so much on Keo Putrasmay in the sense that he would be able to reform the party while the half sister of Prince Rannarith, the Princess Arurasmey is still too much greedy in power and money and she always guided Keo Putrasmay into her own way by telling what he must do. Do u think a half blood royal family (Laotian-Cambodian)is really represented Cambodia, and people oversea and absolutely protected the Royalty, Monarchy, and the current King????? Let's think and evaluate with your own judgement.
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