2 opposition activists escape to Thailand

16 August 2010
By Yun Samien
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Two SRP activists who were accused of spreading anti-government leaflets in Phnom Pen on 11 August have fled to Thailand.

Chan Soveth, an official for the Adhoc human rights group, told RFA on 16 August that Chea Sok Cheam and Mrs. Chea Daly arrived in Thailand already in order to avoid being arrested by the Cambodian cops. The pair were accused of distributing anti-government leaflets in Phnom Penh on 11 August.

Chan Soveth added that the pair are concerned about their safety and they would like to return back to Cambodia if they receive the guarantee that the cops will not arrest them.

On 11 August, the Phnom Penh cops arrested a suspect and confiscated leaflets criticizing the government leaders, accusing these leaders’ cooperation led to the lost of Cambodian territories to Vietnam.

Touch Naroth, the Phnom Penh police commissioner, told RFA on Monday that the cops already sent the case of the two SRP activists to the tribunal already. He declined to provide details in this case.

The SRP rejected the accusation made by the cops claiming that its activists were involved in the distribution of these leaflets. He said that this is a political accusation intended to threaten SRP activists.

Kul Panha, the executive director of the Comfrel NGO, said on Monday that the Cambodian cops should educate the suspects involved with the distribution of the leaflets rather than arresting them. He said that the distribution of these leaflets is merely an expression of opinion, and the content of the leaflet does not affect significantly the government.

In Ausgust alone, at least 7 opposition activists have been accused by the Cambodian government cops of distributing false information and of sabotage.