Week 647

Citizens held Five Vietnamese People Suspected of Entering to Log Illegally in Khmer Territory, but the Authorities Released Them – Friday, 15.1.2010

Norbert Klein 2 Comments

The Mirror, Vol. 14, No. 647

“Citizens in a community in Mondolkiri held five Vietnamese people who came to cut trees illegally, but the authorities released them. Regarding this case, citizens suspect that the authorities colluded with the Vietnamese people, because when they arrived at the site, to their surprise, they threatened the Khmer citizens.

“Ms. Khan Chany, a citizen in the community of Bu Sra commune, Pechr Chenda district, Mondolkiri, spoke to Deum Ampil, saying that on 13 January 2010 at around 11:00 a.m., citizens in the community went into the forest of the community and found five Vietnamese people cutting trees illegally in the forest; they had also a tractor.

“She added that after holding those Vietnamese people, the citizens informed the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC) and the Mondolkiri prosecutor, but four or five persons from the authorities, whom the citizens assumed coming from Military Unit 8, came to release the Vietnamese; furthermore, they threatened to kill the Khmer citizens involved in this event.

“Another citizen, Klan Sin, said that the citizens do not know why the authorities released those Vietnamese people. He requested the government to quickly intervene in this case in order to protect the forests of Mondolkiri.

“An ADHOC official in Mondolkiri, Mr. Chhay Thy, told Deum Ampil on 14 January 2010 that this case shows an irregularity. ‘Therefore, national investigators should come to check, because what these citizens encountered is the truth, and the collusion to release those Vietnamese people is illegal.’

“The Mondolkiri prosecutor, Mr. Im Sophan, rejected this claim, saying that he came directly to the site and did not see anything. He does not know where the authorities took those Vietnamese people.

“It should be noted that this is the first time that citizens in the community of Bu Sra commune, Pechr Chenda district, held five Vietnamese people, and those citizens claimed that illegal logging frequently happens in that area.” Deum Ampil, Vol.4, #388, 15.1.2010

Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Friday, 15 January 2010

Deum Ampil, Vol.4, #388, 15.1.2010

  • Citizens held Five Vietnamese People Suspected of Entering to Log Illegally in Khmer Territory, but the Authorities Released Them
  • The Ministry of Interior Rejected a Request of the Opposition Party to Visit [two] Suspects Charged of Removing Temporary Border Markers

Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.9, #2151, 15.1.2010

  • The Number of Deaths from the Earthquake in Haiti Might Increase Up to More Than 100,000

Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.4, #580, 15.1.2010

  • The Farmers Who Lost Their Land because of Yuon [Vietnam] Grabbing It Did Not Dare to Talk to Journalists but Cried [the Council of Ministers issued a statement saying that the land they claim does not belong to them]

Koh Santepheap, Vol.43, #6858, 15.1.2010

  • Italy Will Step Up Tourism Ties with Cambodia [according to a meeting between Cabinet Minister Sok An and the Italian Ambassador, Mr. Michelangelo Pipan; tourist arrivals from Italy are at the 20th position]
  • The Senate Approved the Expropriation Law by 50 Votes among 52 [during less than 60 minutes]

Phnom Penh Post [Khmer Edition], Vol.1, #90, 15.1.2010

  • The Investigations of Case 002 [of the former Khmer Rouge leaders, Ieng Sary, Ieng Thirith, Nuon Chea, Khiev Samphan, and Kaing Kek Eav] Are Finished and the Hearings Will Sstart in Late 2010 [at the Khmer Rouge Tribunal]
  • Civil Society [the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association, Mr. Rong Chhun, and an investigating official of the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), Mr. Chan Soveth] and an Opposition Party Asked the Government to Create Employment at the Border Areas [so that Khmer citizens do not enter Thailand to illegally log trees which leads to shootings and killings]

Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.18, #5100, 15.1.2010

  • The South Korean Ambassador [Mr. Lee Kyung-Soo] Announced to Help Cambodia More through Aid and More Investments

Sereypheap Thmey, Vol.18, #1856, 15-17.1.2010

  • Five Khmer Kampuchea Krom Monks Escaped after They Were Arrested [over an accusation of distributing leaflets criticizing the 7 January Celebrations, when the Khmer Rouge regime was overthrown in 1979]

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