Dam Sith (Photo: RFA)Journalist Dam Sith freed: Hun Sen vouches for him
15 June 2008
By Duong Sokha et Stéphanie Gée
Ka-set
Unofficial translation from French by Tola Ek
Click here to read the original scoop by Ka-set in French
Click here to read the original scoop by Ka-set in Khmer
At his exit from jail at 11:00 AM on Sunday 15 June, Dam Sith, the editor-in-chief of the pro-Sam Rainsy Party Moneaksekar Khmer (Khmer Conscience) newspaper, thanked “the embassies, the associations of journalists, SRP MPs, and Sam Rainsy in particular, and Samdach Hun Sen for their intervention in his release.” Nevertheless, Dam Sith insisted that he “maintains his position,” and his position at the head of his newspaper.
The news started to spread since Saturday evening in Phnom Penh. On Saturday, Prime minister Hun Sen wrote to the Phnom Penh court requesting the bail release for Dam Sith who was arrested since 08 June, and he was immediately incarcerated thereafter. Hun Sen brought some weight into the matter: he personally vouched for Dam Sith, “as the prime minister.” The court had to abide by this request a few hours later. Dam Sith’s lawyer, Chung Chungy, said that he is “happy” to see Hun Sen’s intervention which he judged to be “very effective.” Last Monday, Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information, and the SRP MPs, had separately called on the court to release Dam Sith. But, it was futile. On Friday, Judge Chhay Kong rejected the prior official request made by Dam Sith’s lawyer.
Sam Rainsy also said that he is “delighted” by the good news, while adding that he wished “this case never even take place.” “[This release] only serves to put things back to normal. A lot of time and energy has been wasted … This is regrettable, this is what happens when a single person decides about everything: the arrest and the release … The court is bypassed, and the Parliament is also bypassed…” Sam Rainsy reminded also that Dam Sith received “fabulous offers from the CPP, but he refused, preferring to remain faithful to his ideals.” “This arrest was done to punish him for not selling himself out.”
Dam Sith still remains the target of the defamation and disinformation lawsuit brought up against him by Hor Namhong, the minister of Foreign Affairs, who accused him of reporting in his newspaper the speech given by opposition leader Sam Rainsy. In this speech, Sam Rainsy indicated that the government still includes former Khmer Rouge officials, in particular the foreign minister who was allegedly the former chief of the Boeng Trabek jail.
Pen Samithy, editor-in-chief of the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper, wrote in the Sunday’s edition of his newspaper that the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ), which he presides, wishes to see Hor Namhong withdrawing his lawsuit against Dam Sith. Dam Sith indicated also that he asked his lawyer to discuss with Hor Namhong’s lawyer in order to convince him to withdraw the lawsuit. “If he (Hor Namhong) refuses, I will send my complaint to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal so that it examines Hor Namhong’s responsibilities [under the Pol Pot regime] at the Boeng Trabek detention camp,” Dam Sith said.
The arrest of a journalist brought protests from other journalists, as well as from human right activists, both inside and outside the country. As mentioned several times in the past, Dam Sith is also a SRP candidate for the upcoming 27 July general election for the city of Phnom Penh.
The news started to spread since Saturday evening in Phnom Penh. On Saturday, Prime minister Hun Sen wrote to the Phnom Penh court requesting the bail release for Dam Sith who was arrested since 08 June, and he was immediately incarcerated thereafter. Hun Sen brought some weight into the matter: he personally vouched for Dam Sith, “as the prime minister.” The court had to abide by this request a few hours later. Dam Sith’s lawyer, Chung Chungy, said that he is “happy” to see Hun Sen’s intervention which he judged to be “very effective.” Last Monday, Khieu Kanharith, the minister of Information, and the SRP MPs, had separately called on the court to release Dam Sith. But, it was futile. On Friday, Judge Chhay Kong rejected the prior official request made by Dam Sith’s lawyer.
Sam Rainsy also said that he is “delighted” by the good news, while adding that he wished “this case never even take place.” “[This release] only serves to put things back to normal. A lot of time and energy has been wasted … This is regrettable, this is what happens when a single person decides about everything: the arrest and the release … The court is bypassed, and the Parliament is also bypassed…” Sam Rainsy reminded also that Dam Sith received “fabulous offers from the CPP, but he refused, preferring to remain faithful to his ideals.” “This arrest was done to punish him for not selling himself out.”
Dam Sith still remains the target of the defamation and disinformation lawsuit brought up against him by Hor Namhong, the minister of Foreign Affairs, who accused him of reporting in his newspaper the speech given by opposition leader Sam Rainsy. In this speech, Sam Rainsy indicated that the government still includes former Khmer Rouge officials, in particular the foreign minister who was allegedly the former chief of the Boeng Trabek jail.
Pen Samithy, editor-in-chief of the Rasmei Kampuchea newspaper, wrote in the Sunday’s edition of his newspaper that the Club of Cambodian Journalists (CCJ), which he presides, wishes to see Hor Namhong withdrawing his lawsuit against Dam Sith. Dam Sith indicated also that he asked his lawyer to discuss with Hor Namhong’s lawyer in order to convince him to withdraw the lawsuit. “If he (Hor Namhong) refuses, I will send my complaint to the Khmer Rouge Tribunal so that it examines Hor Namhong’s responsibilities [under the Pol Pot regime] at the Boeng Trabek detention camp,” Dam Sith said.
The arrest of a journalist brought protests from other journalists, as well as from human right activists, both inside and outside the country. As mentioned several times in the past, Dam Sith is also a SRP candidate for the upcoming 27 July general election for the city of Phnom Penh.
27 comments:
hun sen thmil Zei Pee..Pee yuon's slave is cambodia court 's boss. &he's also a God of khmers.
H.E. Sam Raisy' s speech seems don't want Dam Sith to be released, so he can continue to blame government.
counter suit on the legal grounds "false imprisonment."
I agree with 1:39 PM. I feel that Mr. Sam Raigsy want to use Dam Sith case to fire government. It seems that he want Dam Sith to be remain in jail, thus, government will be blamed from everywhere.
"this is what happens when a single person decides about everything: the arrest and the release … The court is bypassed, and the Parliament is also bypassed…” " -- Ah Scam Rainsy
That is what we called an "INDEPENDENT COURT", Ah Jkout (Scam Rainxy). It is wrong for PM to pull string in the Justice department, you idiot.
no,Mr.Raingsy 's not an idiot as ur fucken boss ....hahha indepent court or youn si Kon Tourk court motherfucker communistbrainwash.
Yeah, but my boss didn't arrested anyone, Asshole (2:46). It was you stupid Zimbabwean fool(Ah Scam Rainxy) who started all this shit and got everyone arrested and killed on his account.
3.57pm, go check your fuckin brain with a kindy. so fuckin dumb for uterring load of trashes out of your mother'hole
"It was you stupid Zimbabwean fool(Ah Scam Rainxy) who started all this shit and got everyone arrested and killed on his account." Come on 3:57PM, do stop in my Lobotomy laboratory. When did Sam Rainsy become a Zimbabwean? If he is what you stated, then does the Kingdom of Kampuchea allows the Zimbabwean nationality to run for public office?
3:57pm, well we know we're going from here! You're nothing but looking for attention. I'm sorry that the CPP abused you; became color blind & unable to differentiate a Zimbabwean and Khmer borned.
DON'T FORGET TO STOP BY THE NATIONAL LAB AND LOOK FOR BRAIN REMOVAL UNIT...
signed
Dey Tnoth
Ah Spam Rainxy needn't became a Zimbabwe. He's zimbabwe from the time he was born.
And no, unlike Ah Scam Rainxy who faked to be Khmer with Lab and Surgery, as he has done with everything else, I don't do that shit, fool (7:15).
Ah eng nih ( 7.53 PM) Ah khour kbal chhke, ah thorkk!
this SOB 7:15Pm & 7:53 pm & 3:57 are one person , This is comunist tragety , this guy is a BUNRANY lover and HUN SEN dog that train by YOUN COMUNIST HANOI . Every time after HUN SEN fuck BUNRANY she NEVER wash her pussy , she call this dog to lick her pussy till it clean and all HUN SEN SPERM he swallow it .That why he would do everything for HUN SEN because he want to lick BUNRANY PUSSY and HUN SEN SPERM..
HAVE FUN YOU FUCKING DOG , you live like a dog you will die like a dog..
To 1:39 PM & 1:45 PM,
Politics - read between the lines. your comments are clearly indicated that both of you need some readings and research.
I know you have your rights to opinions but when your opinions are way off base, then more readings and research should be your best options. I MEAN IN A FRIENDLY WAY.
To Ah Krom Kantouy Ko @ 2:15 PM, 3:57 PM, 7:15 PM & 7:53 PM!
you forgot to take your medications - you are playing hide and seek with yourself.
I am applauding 9:22PM's comment while simultaneously comdemning those of 2:15 PM, 3:57 PM, 7:15 PM & 7:53 PM.
I personally am not surprised have those comments been the products of the so-called Free-thinker team of JR, KJE et al - those inter-racial married jokers that claim that they know Cambodians and their country more than the Cambodians themselves because of the mere fact that they spend sometimes in Cambodia and speak a couple of words of Khmer. To me personally, you jokers of the so-called Free-thinker are nothing but the Viet cash cows just as is that so-called Phd Trudy Jacoben from down under....You jokers ought to take some times to stop and think about what you are doing, realistically .
One Cambodian lad
Enough of pulling our legs, Ah Khmer-Yuons (9:22). You ain't good enough, Ah Jkout.
Hey bloggers,
It's very sad that most commenters here has nothing else to do, except quarreling with oneself. Has Khmer stopped bickering against each other? By the time Khmers realized, and fight for a common caused -- we will lose the country to Siamese & Youns.
BE PROACTIVE AND TAKE YOUR HEAD OUT OF THE GUTTERS!!!!!!!!!!
same to you, comrade @ 11:28 PM!
PM HAHAHA I wanted to laugh at 10:57pm finally he or she hurts,that wasn't enough yet there other present from me to 10:57pm ah son of the bitch came from the viet whore at Svai PAAK district, his off spring from thousand faters viet spies hidden them self to be the backbone of CPP this miserible viet slut son ,just comes and polute our inviremental so am glad that 9;54 gave him a good shot of tacila mix with city drain water to drink, that shit if stink man applaused 9:54
Now everybody knows who is in charge of this country. Remember rule number one: "Do what you've told," then you'll extend the length of your life. Don't forget rule number one.
yeah..tell that to your freaking mother and father Viet to leave Cambodia immediately. Let khmer people resolve their problem on their own, got that you freaking Viet?
we suppose to give an opinions of what go right and what go wrong what cambodians politicians and the event that are happening in cambodia everyday. It seems to me instead of that we just call each other names and blindly take sides without knowing the facts what and who is right and wrong. Until we realize that what are said above meaningless and solve nothing then we can reach a mutual ideas of how to help and to solve the problems that are facing our cambodian people daily lives. Can we get along for the sake of our belove khmers people and country?
And 2:49AM, get along with who? Those freaking Viets pretending to be Khmer here on KI that keep shitting all over us here in the country and everywhere else in the world??? You, go ahead lick those Viet's arse...not me, okay?
Dam Sith is released because the intervention of HE Sam Rainsy to call International help.
Ah Hun Kvak and ah Hor Nam Hong can not use tricks to menace SRP Party.
អាហ៊ុន សែន (អាបណ្ឌិតភ្លេចរៀន) និង អាហោ ណាំហុង (អតីតមេគុកបឹងត្របែក សម័យខ្មែរក្រហម) បញ្ជាអោយតុលាការចាប់ លោកដាំ សិទ្ធិ ចាងហ្វាងកាសែត មនសិការខ្មែរ។ នោះជាវិធីបង្ក្រាប អ្នកប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ មុនពេលបោះឆ្នោត ប៉ុន្តែអាហ៊ុន សែន និង អាហោ ណាំហុង ត្រូវអាម៉ាស់មុខ ដោយកំលាំង អ្នកប្រជាធិបតេយ្យ មានឯ.ឧ. សមរង្ស៊ី ជាអ្នកដឹកនាំ និង កំលាំងអន្តរជាតិ កៀបសង្កត់អាហ៊ុន សែន និង អាហោ ណាំហុង។
Samdech akeak moha sena kbal ach is the boss.
Hun Sen has released Dam Sith?
That is not how we (Khmer) do business, 11:28. One side will used Yuon as protectorate and the other side will used Zimbabwean, French, or whoever willing to defense them in exchange for some land. Protection is not a free service, you know, and that is how it has been throughout history and it will never change.
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