Showing posts with label CFF members. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CFF members. Show all posts
Monday, October 17, 2011
Saturday, June 26, 2010
PM hints that SRP had role in failed coup
Friday, 25 June 2010
Sebastian Strangio and Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post
Sebastian Strangio and Cheang Sokha
The Phnom Penh Post
PRIME Minister Hun Sen has accused opposition members of involvement in an abortive coup carried out by the Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) in November 2000, two days after the mastermind of the operation was sentenced by a US court.
On Tuesday, a federal court in Los Angeles sentenced CFF head Chhun Yasith, a 53-year-old Long Beach accountant, to life imprisonment without chance of parole for his role in the attempted coup.
Speaking at the inauguration of the capital’s first overpass Thursday, the premier linked the opposition Sam Rainsy Party to the plot.
“The US recognises that Chhun Yasith committed terrorism in Cambodia, and some of the members of the SRP joined that activity,” he said.
He added that SRP president Sam Rainsy had repeatedly petitioned him for the pardon of party members detained in connection with the violence.
“Terrorists were taken in as members by the political party, [and] they were jailed, but were asked to be pardoned,” he said.
Chhun Yasith, a former SRP member who formed the CFF in Thailand in October 1998, openly sought the overthrow of Hun Sen’s government.
On November 24, 2000, a ragtag group of CFF members, armed with AK-47s, grenades and B-40 rockets, attacked several government buildings. Eight people were killed and at least 14 wounded in the attacks.
Despite Chhun Yasith’s one-time association with the SRP, party lawmaker Son Chhay said Wednesday that he was expelled from the party long before the CFF was formed. “We learnt he was using the party for his own interests,” he said.
SRP spokesman Yim Sovann said Thursday that some party members were involved in the attacks, but have long since been expelled from the party.
“Anybody involved in any illegal acts are no longer SRP members,” he said. “We don’t support violence. We condemn violence.”
In April, the families of five men imprisoned in connection with the attacks appealed for a Royal amnesty, a request that was seconded by eight SRP lawmakers the week after. Yim Sovann said it was believed the CFF members were duped into taking part in the attack.
“Based on all the facts, we decided to appeal for an amnesty for the people who were cheated by the movement,” he said.
On Tuesday, a federal court in Los Angeles sentenced CFF head Chhun Yasith, a 53-year-old Long Beach accountant, to life imprisonment without chance of parole for his role in the attempted coup.
Speaking at the inauguration of the capital’s first overpass Thursday, the premier linked the opposition Sam Rainsy Party to the plot.
“The US recognises that Chhun Yasith committed terrorism in Cambodia, and some of the members of the SRP joined that activity,” he said.
He added that SRP president Sam Rainsy had repeatedly petitioned him for the pardon of party members detained in connection with the violence.
“Terrorists were taken in as members by the political party, [and] they were jailed, but were asked to be pardoned,” he said.
Chhun Yasith, a former SRP member who formed the CFF in Thailand in October 1998, openly sought the overthrow of Hun Sen’s government.
On November 24, 2000, a ragtag group of CFF members, armed with AK-47s, grenades and B-40 rockets, attacked several government buildings. Eight people were killed and at least 14 wounded in the attacks.
Despite Chhun Yasith’s one-time association with the SRP, party lawmaker Son Chhay said Wednesday that he was expelled from the party long before the CFF was formed. “We learnt he was using the party for his own interests,” he said.
SRP spokesman Yim Sovann said Thursday that some party members were involved in the attacks, but have long since been expelled from the party.
“Anybody involved in any illegal acts are no longer SRP members,” he said. “We don’t support violence. We condemn violence.”
In April, the families of five men imprisoned in connection with the attacks appealed for a Royal amnesty, a request that was seconded by eight SRP lawmakers the week after. Yim Sovann said it was believed the CFF members were duped into taking part in the attack.
“Based on all the facts, we decided to appeal for an amnesty for the people who were cheated by the movement,” he said.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
After Conviction, Other ‘Freedom Fighters’ Afraid
By Sok Khemara, VOA Khmer
Washington
21 April 2008
Washington
21 April 2008
An unknown number of former Cambodian Freedom Fighters, living in states across the US, were angered by a court’s guilty verdict in the case of Chhun Yasith, but many of them are now afraid to speak out, a friend of the leader said Friday.
“I spoke to them, and they are fearful they can’t speak about anything,” Kim Narin said. “They say maybe one day [authorities] might come and knock on the door and arrest us like the Khmer Rouge did.”
A second Long Beach resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the US trial of Chhun Yasith, who was found guilty earlier this month on charges related to an attack on the government in 2000, was politically motivated.
“I’m also afraid that US government is going to make some arrests of the CFF, and then we will see some big reaction from Cambodian Americans,” he said. “If only Yasith [is sentenced] there may not be much reaction.”
US federal court spokesman Thom Mrozek denied politics were behind the conviction, for which Chhun Yasith faces up to life in prison.
“We were not being pressured by the US government in Washington, DC, to do this,” he said. “We did this because we thought that it was an appropriate case to bring.”
Richard Callahan, Chhun Yasith’s defense lawyer, said Friday he was “greatly disappointed” with the trial result.
“The United States has prosecuted a man trying to save his suffering homeland 8,207 miles away,” he said in an e-mail. “This was a war by refugees from Cambodia against an oppressive Cambodian dictator. This was not a war against the United States.”
He plans to appeal the verdict, he said.
Chhun Yasith will be sentenced in September.
“I spoke to them, and they are fearful they can’t speak about anything,” Kim Narin said. “They say maybe one day [authorities] might come and knock on the door and arrest us like the Khmer Rouge did.”
A second Long Beach resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said the US trial of Chhun Yasith, who was found guilty earlier this month on charges related to an attack on the government in 2000, was politically motivated.
“I’m also afraid that US government is going to make some arrests of the CFF, and then we will see some big reaction from Cambodian Americans,” he said. “If only Yasith [is sentenced] there may not be much reaction.”
US federal court spokesman Thom Mrozek denied politics were behind the conviction, for which Chhun Yasith faces up to life in prison.
“We were not being pressured by the US government in Washington, DC, to do this,” he said. “We did this because we thought that it was an appropriate case to bring.”
Richard Callahan, Chhun Yasith’s defense lawyer, said Friday he was “greatly disappointed” with the trial result.
“The United States has prosecuted a man trying to save his suffering homeland 8,207 miles away,” he said in an e-mail. “This was a war by refugees from Cambodia against an oppressive Cambodian dictator. This was not a war against the United States.”
He plans to appeal the verdict, he said.
Chhun Yasith will be sentenced in September.
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Court Sentences Eight CFF Members to Prison
By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 December 2007
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 December 2007
With no participation either from the families or human rights observers, the Cambodian Supreme Court on Friday upheld the verdict of the eight members of the Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF) from six to sixteen-year in prison.
The Phnom Penh municipal court sentenced the eight men for establishing a terrorist group to overthrow the Phnom Penh's government through the attack in Phnom Penh in November 2000. Eight died and more than a dozen were wounded in the attack.
Two years ago, the Cambodian Court of Appeal upheld the municipal court's sentences. Six of the eight men were present when the Supreme Court declared its verdict today. One of the men died while in Prey Sar prison, while another man was sentenced in absentia.
Khim Pon, chief justice at today's hearing, explained the reason why the Supreme Court upheld the sentences.
"The authority confiscated a number of weapons, so the fact that the accused denied the accusation is not reliable. Therefore we sentenced Ou Sokhom, Nem Sopheap, Chea Chhoy, So Sain, Sin Soth and Khleung Savoeurn in person and Hang Nhorn and Yonn Yi in absentia. Keep the verdict by the court of appeal issued on April 20, 2005 in effect."
However, Kao Ty, lawyer of the defendants, challenged the Supreme Court's verdict, calling it unfair.
"The hearing is unjust. For one thing, the proof was brought in to make my clients accept. When they were arrested, my clients were unarmed. There was no proof even after the inquiries, yet at the hearing the court brought in the weapons as proof. The court said this is the proof of your activities, which bears the sign CFF. The court did not investigate my clients' case."
Neither the family members of the men nor the human rights workers were present at today's sentencing.
Fifty years old CFF's founder, Chhun Yasith, was indicted in June 2005 on charges related to the November 2000 clashes involving government forces in Phnom Penh. He was arrested at his home in Long Beach, California, by federal agents and has been awaiting trial in jail.
The Phnom Penh municipal court sentenced the eight men for establishing a terrorist group to overthrow the Phnom Penh's government through the attack in Phnom Penh in November 2000. Eight died and more than a dozen were wounded in the attack.
Two years ago, the Cambodian Court of Appeal upheld the municipal court's sentences. Six of the eight men were present when the Supreme Court declared its verdict today. One of the men died while in Prey Sar prison, while another man was sentenced in absentia.
Khim Pon, chief justice at today's hearing, explained the reason why the Supreme Court upheld the sentences.
"The authority confiscated a number of weapons, so the fact that the accused denied the accusation is not reliable. Therefore we sentenced Ou Sokhom, Nem Sopheap, Chea Chhoy, So Sain, Sin Soth and Khleung Savoeurn in person and Hang Nhorn and Yonn Yi in absentia. Keep the verdict by the court of appeal issued on April 20, 2005 in effect."
However, Kao Ty, lawyer of the defendants, challenged the Supreme Court's verdict, calling it unfair.
"The hearing is unjust. For one thing, the proof was brought in to make my clients accept. When they were arrested, my clients were unarmed. There was no proof even after the inquiries, yet at the hearing the court brought in the weapons as proof. The court said this is the proof of your activities, which bears the sign CFF. The court did not investigate my clients' case."
Neither the family members of the men nor the human rights workers were present at today's sentencing.
Fifty years old CFF's founder, Chhun Yasith, was indicted in June 2005 on charges related to the November 2000 clashes involving government forces in Phnom Penh. He was arrested at his home in Long Beach, California, by federal agents and has been awaiting trial in jail.
Friday, December 14, 2007
CFF members verdict upheld
Cambodian Supreme Court upholds verdict for militant group
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Cambodian Supreme Court on Friday upheld the verdict of eight to 18 years in jail for eight members of the militant organization Cambodian Freedom Fighters (CFF).
The Phnom Penh municipal and the Battambang provincial courts gave them the sentence over establishing terrorism group and illegal use of weapons during their night raid on several government buildings in the capital in November 2000.
"We uphold the decision from the low courts," said Khim Pon, president of the council of judgment of the Supreme Court, insisting that they had enough proof to do so.
While the verdict was declared, six members of the group were present. One of rest two stayed in the prison in Kompong Cham province and the other one had died recently in jail.
The Phnom Penh municipal and the Battambang provincial courts gave them the sentence over establishing terrorism group and illegal use of weapons during their night raid on several government buildings in the capital in November 2000.
"We uphold the decision from the low courts," said Khim Pon, president of the council of judgment of the Supreme Court, insisting that they had enough proof to do so.
While the verdict was declared, six members of the group were present. One of rest two stayed in the prison in Kompong Cham province and the other one had died recently in jail.
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