Laos released 17 Cambodians it arrested

09 April 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

The Lao authority handed over 17 Cambodian men that it arrested for allegedly illegal border crossing which took place more than 2 months ago. The men were handed over to the Stung Treng provincial authority on 07 April 2001 at the Trapaing Kriel international border gate, located in Stung Treng province. Sy Suon, the Siem Pang district governor, who received the handed over men from Laos, told RFA that the release of the 17 Cambodian citizens took place after the Cambodian authority negotiated with Laos for an understanding and a release of these men so that they can reunite with their families for the upcoming Cambodian New Year. Following their release, the 17 men traveled from Stung Treng province to their respective homes as of 08 April. The 17 men called from Stung Treng province, as well as from Takeo, Ratanakiri, Kampong Speu, Siem Reap and Kratie provinces.

Laos releases Cambodian villagers it had arrested

Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Following the 13-day jailing of 8 Cambodian villagers, the Lao authority agreed to release them back on Tuesday 25 August 2009, the RFA quoted a police official from Stung Treng province as saying. The latter indicated that the 8 Cambodian citizens were released after the Stung Treng provincial authority traveled to meet their Lao counterpart to resolve this issue. The Cambodian villagers were arrested by Lao troops at the borderline known as No. 70, when they went to look for rattan and wood resin within Cambodian territories, but the Lao soldiers accused them of crossing into their territories and they were arrested since 12 August. It should be noted that this is the first time that Cambodian citizens have been arrested by Lao soldiers while these Cambodians were earning their livelihood inside the Cambodian territories. However, up to now, high level Cambodian authorities have not provided any reaction to this issue yet.