Thu, 27 Mar 2008 DPA
Phnom Penh - A group of 15 Cambodians were leaving for the United States Thursday to take the stand in the trial of a Cambodian American accused of inciting a coup, the delegation leader said. Police Lieutenant General Moeuk Dara said the delegation would act as witnesses in the Los Angeles trial of self-confessed Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) leader Chhun Yasith, scheduled to begin Tuesday.
With much urging from the Cambodian government, the United States designated Yasith's group a terrorist organization for its fatal and failed November 24, 2000, attempted coup in Phnom Penh.
At least four people were killed and more than a dozen injured before police and the military brought the situation under control. Sixty-four CFF members, mostly peasant farmers, were subsequently arrested.
A grand jury recommended that US citizen Yasith should face charges of conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to damage or destroy property in a foreign country and engagement in a military expedition against a nation with whom the United States is at peace.
Formerly a Long Beach, California, accountant before his 2005 arrest, Yasith and his wife, Sras Pech, also face charges of lodging fraudulent tax returns by exploiting information gleaned from Cambodian immigrants.
He faces life in prison without parole on each charge if convicted. Pech also faces a lengthy prison term, possibly life.
The anti-communist CFF seeks to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen's government, charging it with corruption and mismanagement.
With much urging from the Cambodian government, the United States designated Yasith's group a terrorist organization for its fatal and failed November 24, 2000, attempted coup in Phnom Penh.
At least four people were killed and more than a dozen injured before police and the military brought the situation under control. Sixty-four CFF members, mostly peasant farmers, were subsequently arrested.
A grand jury recommended that US citizen Yasith should face charges of conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to damage or destroy property in a foreign country and engagement in a military expedition against a nation with whom the United States is at peace.
Formerly a Long Beach, California, accountant before his 2005 arrest, Yasith and his wife, Sras Pech, also face charges of lodging fraudulent tax returns by exploiting information gleaned from Cambodian immigrants.
He faces life in prison without parole on each charge if convicted. Pech also faces a lengthy prison term, possibly life.
The anti-communist CFF seeks to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen's government, charging it with corruption and mismanagement.
13 comments:
Some people never learn as did this hare-brained specimen of a right-wing ultra-nationalist overseas Khmer. KI-Media is teeming with those. Only anonymity and their insignificance protects them from prosecution.
Like the Tibetans, Khmers are under the oppressive force & cunningly manipulated by the Vietnames. I am glad that someone is brave enough to stand to HunSen assault. It's too bad the people are blind to see the true nature of CPP.
And it's too sad that Khmers are operated on briberies. Want Vote, give a person a bag of rice, 2 bottles of fish sauce, a bag of salt--you get your wish.
How can anyone in his/her right mind think that HunSen is chosen by the Heaven to liberated Khmers from Vietnam? I give 20years, Cambodia will assimilated or integrated into Vietnam Land.
Prevent the Trend from happening.
12:59,
You should not accuse anyone of hiding behind "anonymity" since you yourself posted your message as "Anonymous". Be more like Dr. Lao and put your real name then.
Secondly,Ki-media is a mean for freedom of expression. Only under yours and Hun Sen dictatorship would freedom of speech is the same as terrorism.
Poor guy. Better luck next time. He needed better training.
They should get the max, period.
After the war it is time to do business.Uncle Sam broke the necks of Chhun Yasith and general Van Pao(Laos)not to disturb Viet Nam.
Who is the next?
I don't see what his action would help anything. Unprepared, unorganized, poor planning, lack of everything... and his mission is to topple Hun Sen? As a matter of fact, I think this guy is a blind leader. He exploited the innocent poor peasants and worsen the country already brutal image. This guy deserve to be in jail and one should follow him.
Wonder what and how much each witness received from Hun Sen?
Right to haeash 3:55AM and loot the country!
Why is westerners Phd always failing? I preferred to go Hanoi.
Go to Hnaoi for what to pay respect to Ho?
Got bad apple in basket,eh?
you know,in kambuja,telling the name is soo....risky.death comes close.
In Hanoi you can get a masters in corruption.
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