By Prak Chan Thul and Douglas Gillison
THE CAMBODIA DAILY
National Police Commissioner Hok Lundy said Monday that a North Korean national recently arrested in Mondolkiri province has been deported to Vietnam.
However a human rights worker in the province claimed the North Korean, identified as 36-year-old Ly Hai Long, has been taken to Phnom Penh.
"He was already sent to Vietnam," Hok Lundy said, adding that he could not recall the date of the expulsion. "He came through Vietnam and was arrested by the border police."
Hok Lundy’s statement is the latest contradictory twist in the saga of Ly Hai Long.
On Nov 22, Mondolkiri provincial Governor Lay Sokha said that Ly Hai Long was still in the province and had been detained by Cambodian police since his Nov 12 arrest. The governor's comments contradicted those of Deputy National Police Commissioner Sok Phal, who said Nov 21 that Ly Hai Long had been returned to Vietnam on the day of his arrest.
Asked about the North Korean's current whereabouts, Lay Sokha referred questions to provincial police, while Sok Phal referred questions to Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak, who said Monday he still had no information about the case.
Sam Sarin, Adhoc provincial coordinator, said that Ly Hai Long was taken Saturday from provincial police headquarters to Phnom Penh. "A police officer who guarded him told me," Sam Sarin said.
Kim Kwangguk, first secretary at the North Korean Embassy, said he remained unaware of the matter. "I haven't received any official information yet," he said.
Denise Coghlan, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, said she hoped Cambodia would allow Ly Hai Long to claim asylum if that is what he wants. "Cambodia is a signatory to the refugee convention and in many cases has helped asylum seekers so I would hope he would get access to UN [High Commissioner for Refugees]," she said.
UNHCR spokeswoman Deborah Backus said that her agency was looking into the case but declined further comment.
"We're still working to gain clarity in this case," she said.
However a human rights worker in the province claimed the North Korean, identified as 36-year-old Ly Hai Long, has been taken to Phnom Penh.
"He was already sent to Vietnam," Hok Lundy said, adding that he could not recall the date of the expulsion. "He came through Vietnam and was arrested by the border police."
Hok Lundy’s statement is the latest contradictory twist in the saga of Ly Hai Long.
On Nov 22, Mondolkiri provincial Governor Lay Sokha said that Ly Hai Long was still in the province and had been detained by Cambodian police since his Nov 12 arrest. The governor's comments contradicted those of Deputy National Police Commissioner Sok Phal, who said Nov 21 that Ly Hai Long had been returned to Vietnam on the day of his arrest.
Asked about the North Korean's current whereabouts, Lay Sokha referred questions to provincial police, while Sok Phal referred questions to Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak, who said Monday he still had no information about the case.
Sam Sarin, Adhoc provincial coordinator, said that Ly Hai Long was taken Saturday from provincial police headquarters to Phnom Penh. "A police officer who guarded him told me," Sam Sarin said.
Kim Kwangguk, first secretary at the North Korean Embassy, said he remained unaware of the matter. "I haven't received any official information yet," he said.
Denise Coghlan, director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, said she hoped Cambodia would allow Ly Hai Long to claim asylum if that is what he wants. "Cambodia is a signatory to the refugee convention and in many cases has helped asylum seekers so I would hope he would get access to UN [High Commissioner for Refugees]," she said.
UNHCR spokeswoman Deborah Backus said that her agency was looking into the case but declined further comment.
"We're still working to gain clarity in this case," she said.
Is he end up like Mr. Ho Sok, ask Hok Landy again!
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