Chhun YasithWednesday, June 23, 2010
AP
LOS ANGELES — A California accountant was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday in Los Angeles for orchestrating a failed attempt to overthrow the Cambodian government in 2000.
Yasith Chhun, 53, of Long Beach, was found guilty in 2008 of three counts of conspiracy and one count of engaging in a military expedition against a nation with which the United States is at peace.
Chhun, a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled Cambodia as a refugee in 1982, grew frustrated with the lack of free elections under what he viewed as the oppressive regime of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, a former member of the Khmer Rouge under dictator Pol Pot, said Chhun's attorney, Richard Callahan.
"He saw Hun Sen as on an even par with Pol Pot," Callahan said.
Chhun also wanted to avenge the death of his father, who was beheaded by Khmer Rouge soldiers as Chhun looked on.
Chhun was found guilty after a two-week trial, during which prosecutors said he had planned "Operation Volcano" to Sen's government.
"We're here because a jury found that the defendant deliberately tried to kill other human beings," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Baker.
Chhun headed a group known as the Cambodian Freedom Fighters, which accused Sen of being a dictator and helping rig elections so he could stay in power.
Prosecutors said Chhun had planned the operation for two years and had traveled to the region to assemble a rebel force. He raised money by holding fundraisers at the Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in Long Beach.
Prosecutors also believe Chhun was behind a February 1999 bombing of a bar in Cambodia that injured several people.
"Operation Volcano" was launched on Thanksgiving 2000 at the direction of Chhun, who was across the border in Thailand.
About 200 rebel troops showed up to fight, and they were quickly subdued after attacking various government buildings in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
In a rambling statement before his sentencing, Chhun told the judge that he started his movement as a nonviolent protester.
"The result is, nothing happened," Chhun said, adding that his approach changed as he saw Sen's troops "kill more people."
Callahan said the prosecution of Chhun was politically motivated because the U.S., which at the time was expanding its war on terror, was seeking international cooperation from countries in Southeast Asia.
"He was a sacrificial lamb to make sure everything went well in Southeast Asia," Callahan said. "Otherwise, the story doesn't make sense."
Callahan said he planned to appeal.
Yasith Chhun, 53, of Long Beach, was found guilty in 2008 of three counts of conspiracy and one count of engaging in a military expedition against a nation with which the United States is at peace.
Chhun, a naturalized U.S. citizen who fled Cambodia as a refugee in 1982, grew frustrated with the lack of free elections under what he viewed as the oppressive regime of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, a former member of the Khmer Rouge under dictator Pol Pot, said Chhun's attorney, Richard Callahan.
"He saw Hun Sen as on an even par with Pol Pot," Callahan said.
Chhun also wanted to avenge the death of his father, who was beheaded by Khmer Rouge soldiers as Chhun looked on.
Chhun was found guilty after a two-week trial, during which prosecutors said he had planned "Operation Volcano" to Sen's government.
"We're here because a jury found that the defendant deliberately tried to kill other human beings," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Baker.
Chhun headed a group known as the Cambodian Freedom Fighters, which accused Sen of being a dictator and helping rig elections so he could stay in power.
Prosecutors said Chhun had planned the operation for two years and had traveled to the region to assemble a rebel force. He raised money by holding fundraisers at the Queen Mary, which is permanently docked in Long Beach.
Prosecutors also believe Chhun was behind a February 1999 bombing of a bar in Cambodia that injured several people.
"Operation Volcano" was launched on Thanksgiving 2000 at the direction of Chhun, who was across the border in Thailand.
About 200 rebel troops showed up to fight, and they were quickly subdued after attacking various government buildings in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
In a rambling statement before his sentencing, Chhun told the judge that he started his movement as a nonviolent protester.
"The result is, nothing happened," Chhun said, adding that his approach changed as he saw Sen's troops "kill more people."
Callahan said the prosecution of Chhun was politically motivated because the U.S., which at the time was expanding its war on terror, was seeking international cooperation from countries in Southeast Asia.
"He was a sacrificial lamb to make sure everything went well in Southeast Asia," Callahan said. "Otherwise, the story doesn't make sense."
Callahan said he planned to appeal.
32 comments:
Chhun yasith is not Khmer nation betrayer like sihanok,hun sen and his vietcong spies in Cambodia.Please reconsider this case for him he just a Khmer nationalist.
In the eyes of trators (refugees), the not-so-bright group would argue that the verdict is a travesty of justice, or the verdict is forcical; however, to the victims and the people of Cambodia,argument is not required, since the jury has spoken LOUD and CLEAR. On the behalf of the CPP and its members, including myself, we're very honored that justice has been served.
In addition, the vast majority of the time, these refugees have taken nationalism and patriotism too extreme, which grotesquely blind themselves that will undoubltedly put themselves on a glide path in the precipice of a colossal failure for their leaders and the party itself. Importantly, in a time of incertitude and hardships, we need a tenacious leader like Samdach Hun Sen to lead the country.
Moreover, suffice to say, I'm speechless, when these refugees are unflinchinglycalling the convicted criminal their "hero."
Pi Anh
Now, in a free and fair trial, one can see that justice is done. with all his talents this guy chose to advance his *flaky* (some would say lunatic) ideas by force of arms. there's so much to do to help our beloved people in Cambodia without brandishing guns and knives.. check those people who want to kill others to get back Kampuchea Krom.. of course they are calling for armed uprising while they themselves are eating & sleeping in peace somewhere in Long Beach or Lowell. if they were facing trial in the US these HYPOCRITES would be charged with inciting violence. Go ahead call me traitor to Cambodia, but the truth hurts doesn't it?
i think that this guy maybe suffered with mential problem.
To 1:45Pm,YOU: PI ANH KEH BAGN KANDAL DEUM TROONG,
(it means from me who has got shot in the middle of the chest)
That is your full name which destines to serve this curse when you are so callously jealous with others especially refugees. You ought to be ashamed when you don't know the different between yourself and refugees. You are a very lousy thief who lives in a criminal world with criminal mind and heart, do not know any different in human value, virtue, pride and dignity. Unlike refugees who are being officially in the world respected and recognized with their courage to survive and fighting for their freedom and rights.
I pity you and sincerely hope that you would take a little moment to think about your reflection in this forum not just to abuse others but to your self and other thieves in your calibre.
200 CFF vs. 200,000 CPP + Ah PPU aka Pi Anh!
Many KI media readers and supporter of SR are guilty of this same crime. They want very much to over throw HS government by force and to kill many CPP as they could. However, they are too lazy and incompetence to make a move like Chhun Yasith.
Fucken LOSER!!!!!!
8:53 PM,
Just happen that among KI's readers aren't Cambodians. Just want to check out.
CHHUN YASITH IS A HERO
it goes to show that there are other ways to influence people and win votes, you don't use violence, period! this ignorant accountant was using violence in the form of terrorist act that killed six people in cambodia. america cannot tolerate that, ok! america deals with cambodia diplomatically. yes, there are diplomatic channel that america cooperates with cambodia. we, american gov't, do not like law of the jungle that this yasith chhun was showing us! violence don't solve violence, period! plus, america is on the war with terrorist, so, no terrorist act will be allowed or tolerated by america, period, ok! let it be a warning to all extremists out there, ok! oh, while yasith chhun sits in jail, make sure to take online courses on diplomacy with cambodia, ok! maybe after life in prison, he can come out a better educated man to deal with cambodia, you know! god bless america and cambodia.
yes, that's right! if you want to help cambodia, you advocate for positive changes like reforms, human rights, better access to education, better healthcare, better gov't responsibility, better welfare for the khmer people, etc; but you don't use violence like terrorist act, period, ok! there are many many ways one can help to make a real difference in cambodia. using violence and terrorist act aren't one of them; get educated ok! oh, while in america, make sure to study hard at american schools and universities, etc... god bless all.
We strongly appreciate his effort, we should petition for his release, because downfall Chun Yasith is victory for thug(Hun Sen) chief dictator in Cambodia.
khmer u.s.a
I think Chhun Yasith was used either by Hun Sen or the US. When I said by Hun Sen I meant by Yuon Hanoi. I disagree with the words "terrorists", Chhun Yasith is a real liberator, but an idiot liberator.
It was a strategy that Yuon Hanoi designed to lure the nationalists out, and the same as Yuon Hanoi did in K-5. In one of my document if I can find I'll share, said The US supported and sponsored the resistance in K-5 against Yuon Hanoi, then something even more dramatic, Yuon Hanoi spies were among those Khmer nationalists as they always have been, and there're a voice of King Sihanouk in the radio, caused a lot of confusion.
The facts King Sihanouk didn't make the call to his people.
Think about this. If the film makers can make Tom Hank (Forest Gum) shaking hand with former Presidents Kennedy and Nixon before his existence, Yuon Hanoi or a skilled in the art also can make anyone's voice.
For the fears of Capitalists, Yuon Hanoi were paranoid, but finally Hanoi agreed to work with the US to isolate China from SEA; and K-5 was dissolved and Pol Pot was dead. K-5 was real but no single event, date or statitic marks what had happened.
Now today China rises and the politic games keep changing. Will the US save Yuon Hanoi from China? I doubt it.
In short, all politicians are learnt to lie.
Pi Anh is the most chhleuy fool of all fools. Perhaps he's a Yuon that's why does not understand the meaning of his fake name. He's an ill-bred fool respecting no one, regardless whether they are old or young.
Hats off to the DOJ.
Bravo!
Pi Anh
5:50 PM
Unfortunately, a moron like yourself who unable to distinguish between "jealousy" and “justice,” again, is quite unfortunate. Having said that, let me say this: criminal has nothing to do with "jealousy," they are two different things, idiot.
Pi Anh
Pi Anh
Wow!11:31PM! the motherfuckers going to Hanoi rightnow are not the Norodom! The motherfuckers are kaked from Chinoa or Hanoi?
May lightning strike the faked pretenders!!
Yasith was work for Hun Xen ! now is back fire!!!!!!
No one in right mind would want to use violent to hurth small people in Cambodia! and the fight was 1000 miles and time away from Hun Xen!
hey, stop missing the point here, yasith chhun used america soil for terrorist activity in cambodia. by american law and policy that is unaceptable, ok! american do not tolerate anyone who called themselves US citizen to conduct terrorist activities cambodia, a sovereigned nation, ok! that's all. and learn from this not to be an idiot like yasith chhun, ok! there are many other ways you can influence positive changes in cambodia, yasith's style is stupid and ignorant and crazy, to say the least! wake up, people! now i dare you call american court system kangaroo court like you called cambodian court at your own free will! we will laugh so hard at you until we pee in our panties, ok!
How can motherfucker braged about killing people in a free worls country!
yasith chhun is a good example of stupidity i.e. taking action in your own hand and not respecting the law of the land, really! never resort to violence! didn't we hear that from the late martin luther king jr, who learned that from gandhi and gandhi probably learned that from others before him as well, etc, etc... wake up and stop being so ignorant, please! now he can think in terms of reforms in jail. too bad the american court think differently about terrorist activity against cambodia, ok!
america don't support nor do we tolerate terrorist activity by anyone anywhere, period, ok!
yes, sir, cambodia is with america in many ways in foreign policy like this. cambodia wants very much to be a partner with america in many ways, too. god bless america and cambodia.
In her alots of Youn slaves hater posting in here!
REALLY!!! we need laws and justice!in Cambodia!
Please help UN!!!!!
Aun Yasith,
I salut your patriotism.
And always keep your head high !
Bâng Diep
I think therefore I undoubtedly believe that he would get a few years in prison, not to life, 'cause he ain' t killed SenVarman yet!
In USA, when ye poor and ain' t have a good lawyer, ye will suffocatingly do time the rest yar life!
Just look at the picture, the guy was nut!
How can motherfucker braged about killing people in a free world country!
Ly Ngoc Dinh/Diep.
Were you the one who helped to create Yasith and CFF? VietHanoi must have paid you a lot to coax the real Khmer nationalists out. You did this tactic to Khmer Krom, now to Khmer kandal.
i hate kicking someone already down, but the fact remains that because of his idiotic and crazy Pol Pot-like xenophobia, a number of innocent khmers were killed in the demented uprising he financed from miles away. The epitomy of HYPOCRISY and COWARDICE. And btw, using excuses like "i'm avenging my dad who was killed by pol pot etc.." doesn't wash with others who have also lost family members in those days. There are lots of khmers who had their lives saved to live in the US, Australia etc.. and who have returned to quietly help rebuild our beloved country. Those are the real Khmer heroes. This guy is not.
Post a Comment