Three Generals Arrested on Accusation of Armed Robberies and Terrorism Plot
“Phnom Penh: Three generals – one is a major general and the other two are brigadier generals [sic] – were arrested by national military police in the street on 16 January on accusation of armed robberies and a terrorism plot.
“General Sao Sokha, the commander of the National Military Police, told Kampuchea Thmey that the three generals were really arrested by his forces, because all three of them are in the military. Mr. Sao Sokha said that the arrest was based on a warrant issued by the Battambang Provincial Court, accusing the three of various crimes, according to the warrant dated 16 January 2007.
“Mr. Sao Sokha continued, ‘Concerning the crimes they were involved, we don’t know much, we just acted according to the court warrant. The three generals were sent to Battambang at 9:30 on the morning of 17 January. The three who were arrested are:
- Khieng Savorn, a major general at the naval intervention headquarters, and a member of the Sam Rainsy Party Steering Committee, was arrested near Preah Monivong Bridge, as he was traveling in his own car.
- Men Saran, a major general [sic], a regional deputy commander, and a former member of Funcinpec, was arrested in the street near the Century Plaza Pochentong Market at 9 o’clock on 16 January.
- Uch Sakhan, a brigadier general [sic], a deputy commander of Brigade 70, and the former head of Samdech Krom Preah Norodom Ranariddh’s bodyguard unit.
“Mr. Sar Yos’thavarak , a Battambang Provincial Court prosecutor, who issued the warrant, said, ‘We issued warrants for the arrest of the three persons because we accuse them of well-organized armed robberies in Battambang, in an attempt to undermine the authorities, and they had documents which may lead to the initiative of large scale terrorism.’ A judge said that the investigation had started since 2005, and so far they have 18 times committed crimes.
“Prosecutor Sar Yos’thavarak said, ‘The last crime of which we accuse them is that they were the leaders organizing their subordinates in Phnom Penh to conduct large scale armed robberies in Battambang and in other border provinces. What led to their arrest is that on 14 January 2007, the officials arrested a large group of robbers and seized 40 motorcycles, six grenades, one AK-47 gun, and one pistol. Their crimes were committed in Battambang, but the big chiefs who initiated the crime were in Phnom Penh, and they are in the military, therefore we decided to let the national military police carry out these arrests.’ The prosecutor denied any political involvements, but said it is just crimes of individuals.
“Mr. Mut Chantha, the spokesperson of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, told Kampuchea Thmey that the arrests are not related to the Norodom Ranariddh Party. He said ‘Mr. Uch Sakhan is the former head of the bodyguard unit of the Prince, but now he is not a member of the Norodom Ranariddh Party, as far as we know he is a member of Funcinpec.’
“Mr. Mut Chantha went on to say, ‘Samdech Krom Preah now has no bodyguards anymore, because he does not have any position in the government, he has even given back his six or seven cars. Samdech Krom Preah now has only two or three private bodyguards.’
“Mr. Nov Sovatharo, the spokesperson of Funcinpec said that he did not know about the reason for the arrest; however, he will investigate it so he will dare to make a comment later.
“Ms. Mu Sochua, the secretary-general of Sam Rainsy Party, demanded an investigation into the arrest to see whether it was done with a clear reason. She said that the authorities should not have arrested General Khieng Savorn based on unspecific reasons which may lead to criticism from outside circles. She wants to see Major General Khieng Savorn released because he is sick.
“A statement from the Sam Rainsy Party cabinet criticized the arrest of General Khieng Savorn because it is seen as a serious violation of human rights, and it contradicts the legal procedures. The Sam Rainsy Party condemns the arrest and calls for the urgent release of Mr. Khieng Savon in order to provide him justice and freedom in accordance with human rights principles which are guaranteed by the constitution of the Kingdom of Cambodia.
“The statement says that Mr. Khieng Savon had a stroke and he suffers from diabetes, which have made him handicapped and lose memory since 2003. For this handicap, Mr. Khieng Savorn cannot even eat or walk by himself.” Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1246, 18.1.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Thursday, 18 January 2007
Deum Ampil, Vol.2, #5, 17-24.1.2007
- Ranariddh and Nhek Bun Chhay [Funcinpec Secretary-General] Move to End Dispute and Will Withdraw Complaint [over sale of Funcinpec headquarters] from Court Soon
- “Khmer Freedom” Is Name of Party of Mr. Kem Sokha [president of Cambodian Center for Human Rights] and It Has a White Pigeon as Its Emblem
- Mr. Charles A. Ray [former US Ambassador to Cambodia] Praises Cambodia for Cooperating to Seek [Vietnam war time] US Soldiers’ Remains
- There May Be More Natural Gas in Khmer Sea Than Expected [according to DPA – German news agency]
Kampuchea Thmey, Vol.6, #1246, 18.1.2007
- Three Generals Arrested on Accusation Armed Robberies and Terrorism Plot
- Samdech Hun Sen Encourages Mr. [Charles A.] Ray to Broadcast Through Radio and Television for Information about Missing US Soldiers
- Three Journalists Released from Detention on Wednesday 17 January 2007 at 9:30 A.M. [about complaint of film star Vang Sreyno over sex video clip allegation]
- Center for Social Development Signs Agreement to Cooperate with DED [German Development Service]
- Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers Prepares 100 People to March and Put Flowers at Place Where Chea Vichea [head of Cambodian Free Trade Union of Workers] Was Shot
- World Bank Provides Scholarships to Poor Cambodian Students
- Number of Casualties of Unexploded Ordnance and Mines in 2006 Was 440 [according to a senior official of Cambodian Mine Action Center]
- People at Cambodian-Vietnamese Border Ask Royal Government to Help Prevent Import of Birds
Khmer Mekong, Vol.5, #225, 16-17.1.2007
- Under Pretext of New National Assembly Building Construction, Nearly All Trees in Ratanakiri Cut; Samdech Heng Samrin Has Just Forbidden… [after most trees were already cut]
- Fast Running Lexus RX 900 [sic] Car Hits Cows and Crashes Upside Down; One Passenger Dies and Three Are Injured [Prey Nob, Sihanoukville]
Koh Santepheap, Vol.40, #5943, 18.1.2007
- Phnom Penh Authorities Prepare Nearly 3,000 Armed Personnel to Protect Security and Public Order During Commune and Subdistrict Elections
- [Three] Journalists Are Free form Punishment after They Have Admitted Their Serious Mistake [about complaint of film star Vang Sreyno over sex video clip allegation]
- Thais Arrest and Return Illegal Khmer Laborers Every Day; Khmer Police Continue [money] Extortion… [Poipet]
- Man Carries All Kinds of Pornographic VCDs and Sell Them Throughout Kompong Chhnang [he is arrested]
- Man Rapes Six-Year-Old Girl as She Looks after Cattle [he is arrested – Tboung Khmum, Kompong Cham]
- China Prepares to Test Fast Train to Carry People During Chinese New Year
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3065, 18.1.2007
- Donors Say Khmer Officials Work Plans Are Like a Dream [unclear]
- Yuon [Vietnam] Encroaches on Contested Area in Ou Ya Dav, Ratanakiri
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4188, 18.1.2007
- Cambodian Senate and Canadian Senate Strengthen Friendship Relations
Reach Seima, Vol.2, #133, 18.1.2007
- Mr. Keo Remy [SRP parliamentarian, Phnom Penh] Welcomes Plan to Create Golden Triangle Economic Zone [between Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand]
- Government Acts Very Week in Finding Job Markets for Citizens
Samleng Yuvachun Khmer, Vol.14, #2946, 18.1.2007
- Some Border Crossing Officials Allow Yuons [Vietnamese] to Enter Cambodia Freely
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #308, 18.1.2007
- Keat Chhon Calls Oil Companies in Cambodia to Discuss Sam Rainsy’s Request for Decrease of Gasoline Price
- Princess Marie Tells Samdech Krom Preah that Only King Can Remove “Marie Ranariddh” Title
This is just what i have been looking for
thanks for the info