Cambodia sentences two Thai nationalists to jail guilty of spying
February 2nd, 2011 - 4:43 am ICT by BNO NewsPHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (BNO NEWS) — A Cambodian court on Tuesday sentenced two key activists of a Thai nationalist movement after finding them guilty of espionage.
The court handed down an eight-year jail term and a 1.8 million riel (US$450) fine for Veera Somkwamkid, a key activist, and a six-year jail term and a 1.2 million riel (US$300) fine for his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon. The two activists were found guilty of espionage, illegal entry and trespassing in a military zone. They were told they can appeal within a month.
Somkwamkid denied all charges and said he was detained by Cambodian soldiers on Thai territory on Decemeber 29. Pipattanapaiboon conceded that a recorded video that Cambodian authorities seized and used as evidence for spying charge belonged to her, but said the video recording was not for spying on Cambodian troops.
The two were among the seven Thais, including Democrat member of parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, who were arrested December 29 by Cambodian authorities. The five returned to Thailand after the Cambodian court on January 21 ruled that they were guilty of illegal entry and intentionally trespassing into Cambodian territory.
Cambodia and Thailand have been involved in a border dispute since Cambodia’s Preah Vihear temple was enlisted as World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008. Thailand claims ownership of 1.8 square miles (4.6 sq km) of scrub next to the temple. Periodic clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers have resulted in the deaths of troops on both sides.
- Cambodia and Thailand agree to remove troops from disputed border - Sep 16, 2011
- Thai protesters urge government to solve border dispute with Cambodia - Jan 30, 2011
- Thai-Cambodian border clashes resume after 'ceasefire' - Feb 07, 2011
- Six dead in Thai-Cambodian border clashes - Feb 05, 2011
- Cambodia and Thailand continue border clashes for the fourth day - Apr 26, 2011
- Cambodian, Thai soldiers again exchange gunfire on Saturday - Apr 30, 2011
- Clashes along Thai-Cambodian border resume - Feb 17, 2011
- Thailand and Cambodia agree to ceasefire - Apr 28, 2011
- Thai PM says Cambodian troops must leave border to solve dispute - May 08, 2011
- Thailand denies using chemical weapons against Cambodia - Apr 24, 2011
- Thailand denies violating Cambodian territory - Jun 06, 2011
- Thailand quits World Heritage Convention - Jun 27, 2011
- Thailand, Cambodia to hold border talks - Aug 12, 2011
- UN chief calls on Cambodia, Thailand for ceasefire - Apr 25, 2011
- US 'deeply concerned' over Thailand-Cambodia border clashes - Apr 26, 2011
Tags: bno, border dispute, cambodian authorities, cambodian court, clashes, december 29, democrat member, espionage, illegal entry, jail term, member of parliament, military zone, nationalist movement, nationalists, phnom penh cambodia, preah vihear, thai soldiers, veera, video recording, world heritage site