Voice of America
Washington DC
06/12/2006
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Heng Pov has reportedly been granted political asylum status by Finland, according to his wife.
Speaking to VOA Khmer service by phone Wednesday morning from Malaysia, Ngin Sotheary, Heng Pov's wife, said the Finnish embassy in Kuala Lumpur issued her husband a visa today.
Heng Pov was Prime Minister Hun Sen's adviser and former Ministry of Interior's Secretary.
He reportely received permission from the Ministry of the Interior to go to Singapore for medical treatment.
He was later charged by the Cambodian government of serious crimes including the killing of former judge Sok Sethamony.
Heng Pov was arrested in Malaysia on October for immigration violations in overstaying his visa.
Phnom Penh Municipal court sentenced him in absentia, to 18 years in prison, while the Malaysia court was set to hear his case on December 13.
For the past 5 months, Heng Pov has been actively seeking political asylum while hiding in an undisclosed place in Malaysia.
Cambodian Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak says that he is not sure about the Finnish government's letter of support, but said that the decision is a disappointment.
VOA tried to reach the Finnish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur by phone for comment, but our call was not answered.
Speaking to VOA Khmer service by phone Wednesday morning from Malaysia, Ngin Sotheary, Heng Pov's wife, said the Finnish embassy in Kuala Lumpur issued her husband a visa today.
Heng Pov was Prime Minister Hun Sen's adviser and former Ministry of Interior's Secretary.
He reportely received permission from the Ministry of the Interior to go to Singapore for medical treatment.
He was later charged by the Cambodian government of serious crimes including the killing of former judge Sok Sethamony.
Heng Pov was arrested in Malaysia on October for immigration violations in overstaying his visa.
Phnom Penh Municipal court sentenced him in absentia, to 18 years in prison, while the Malaysia court was set to hear his case on December 13.
For the past 5 months, Heng Pov has been actively seeking political asylum while hiding in an undisclosed place in Malaysia.
Cambodian Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak says that he is not sure about the Finnish government's letter of support, but said that the decision is a disappointment.
VOA tried to reach the Finnish Embassy in Kuala Lumpur by phone for comment, but our call was not answered.
4 comments:
Thank to Finnish embassy; now Cambodians and the world community have to second chance to learn more about the Cambodian government.
This is a live witness for the world to know about the corrupted government of Communist Youn led by Ah Sen khvak.
so what next? if Heng Pov will be in peace and happy life with his money in Finland or should there be an investigation on Cambodian leader???
Great! Now, maybe the world would listen closely what Mr. Heng is telling them about the CPP.
Will the world continue to donate more money to CPP?
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