Thursday March 13, 2008BANGKOK POST and AFP
The wives of two Muslim Thais jailed in Cambodia for plotting terror attacks in Phnom Penh want their husbands to do time here. Cambodia's Supreme Court yesterday upheld life sentences for three Muslims convicted of plotting terror attacks against the British embassy and a UN agency in Phnom Penh. Cambodian Sman Ismael and Thais Abdul Azi Haji Chiming and Muhammad Yalaludin Mading were sentenced in 2004 to life in prison by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court for plotting attacks there between 2002 and 2003.
Asisa Haji Chiming, 33, and Muhammad's wife, Parida, 42, said they planned to petition to have their husbands extradited. The wives said they also planned to seek a royal pardon if their husbands were moved back.
Mrs Asisa said the husbands worked as religious teachers in Cambodia because the job earned good pay.
''But they were accused of being terrorists and planning to stage attacks,'' she said.
She and Mrs Parida said that while they respected the court's verdict, it appeared to have been passed to appease the US.
The wives said they had tried without success to secure their husbands' return over the years.
The Supreme Court said there was strong evidence which proved the three convicts had helped Islamic militant Hambali, allegedly a key member of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah network, plan the strikes.
Hambali spent months in Cambodia before being captured in Thailand in 2003.
He was later handed over to US authorities and is now being held at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The three men have repeatedly denied the charges against them.
The wives yesterday discussed the issue with representatives from Working Group on Justice for Peace, the human rights advocacy group chaired by Angkhana Neelaphaijit, wife of missing Muslim lawyer Somchai.
Mrs Parida said life without her husband has been miserable because she had to raise their three children alone and shoulder expenses from travelling back and forth to visit her husband in Cambodia.
In Songkhla, security will be boosted until Saturday to prevent possible attacks to mark the founding of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate militant group.
Road checkpoints have been set up on main roads between Chana district and the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat.
In Yala, Manapee Mateha, 36, a villager, was killed by a gunman in Betong district on Tuesday on his way home after evening prayers.
In Narathiwat, Thewan Tipprakhon, 30, a volunteer ranger, accidentally shot himself dead in Rueso district yesterday. He triggered the shot as he fell asleep holding the rifle close to his head.
Asisa Haji Chiming, 33, and Muhammad's wife, Parida, 42, said they planned to petition to have their husbands extradited. The wives said they also planned to seek a royal pardon if their husbands were moved back.
Mrs Asisa said the husbands worked as religious teachers in Cambodia because the job earned good pay.
''But they were accused of being terrorists and planning to stage attacks,'' she said.
She and Mrs Parida said that while they respected the court's verdict, it appeared to have been passed to appease the US.
The wives said they had tried without success to secure their husbands' return over the years.
The Supreme Court said there was strong evidence which proved the three convicts had helped Islamic militant Hambali, allegedly a key member of the al-Qaeda-linked Jemaah Islamiyah network, plan the strikes.
Hambali spent months in Cambodia before being captured in Thailand in 2003.
He was later handed over to US authorities and is now being held at the US military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The three men have repeatedly denied the charges against them.
The wives yesterday discussed the issue with representatives from Working Group on Justice for Peace, the human rights advocacy group chaired by Angkhana Neelaphaijit, wife of missing Muslim lawyer Somchai.
Mrs Parida said life without her husband has been miserable because she had to raise their three children alone and shoulder expenses from travelling back and forth to visit her husband in Cambodia.
In Songkhla, security will be boosted until Saturday to prevent possible attacks to mark the founding of the Barisan Revolusi Nasional Coordinate militant group.
Road checkpoints have been set up on main roads between Chana district and the three southernmost provinces of Yala, Pattani, and Narathiwat.
In Yala, Manapee Mateha, 36, a villager, was killed by a gunman in Betong district on Tuesday on his way home after evening prayers.
In Narathiwat, Thewan Tipprakhon, 30, a volunteer ranger, accidentally shot himself dead in Rueso district yesterday. He triggered the shot as he fell asleep holding the rifle close to his head.
2 comments:
It is not that easy, sister Thai.
I know it is difficult for you to visit your hubbies here and all, and I don't see anything wrong with your request. I am behind you 100%, and we both must ask our governments workout some sort of prisoner exchange treaty.
Last but not least, we must ask that you must stop trying to Cambodia in such a manner to resolve you dispute, Fair?
May Allah be with you!
Correction: Last but not least, we must ask that you must stop trying to use Cambodia in such a manner to resolve you dispute, Fair?
Post a Comment