Bangkok: Cyber police have submitted an audio clip of Hun Sen ordering the hunt for Cambodian political dissidents in Thailand to the Attorney General for consideration as to whether it constitutes an extraterritorial case. Police believe the accused in the audio clip may be involved in the case of ordering the murder of Lim Kimya.
According to Thai News Agency, Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat Deepo, Commander of the Technology Crime Investigation Division 1 and Deputy Spokesperson of the Royal Thai Police, presented 50 copies of the file, “Hun Sen’s Audio Clip Ordering the Pursuit of People with Different Political Opinions from Cambodia in Thailand,” to the Attorney General. Ms. Thitiwadee Sinthawanarong, Public Prosecutor at the Office of the Attorney General and Deputy Spokesperson for the Office of the Attorney General, was the recipient on his behalf.
Pol. Maj. Gen. Siriwat stated that Pol. Gen. Sereepisuth Temiyawes, leader of the Seri Ruam Thai Party, submitted evidence to the Cyber Police. The incident occurred in the Ban Chang Police Station area of Rayong Province in August 2019. The victim, identified as “Phonphanna,” is Cambodian. Three perpetrators assaulted her, resulting in physical and mental harm. According to the report, Phonphanna has now sought asylum in the United States.
This audio clip, which was released last June, is believed to show Hun Sen ordering Cambodian political dissidents residing in Thailand to be brought back to Cambodia by any means. The Cyber Police Commander has assigned the Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) to take action, which has set up an investigative team and will submit the case file to the public prosecutor for review today.
In this regard, Police General Sereepisuth has accused Hun Sen and Kleang Huat of violating Section 16 of the Criminal Procedure Code, which carries a penalty of up to seven years in prison. They may be involved in the shooting death of Cambodian politician Lim Kimya in the Bang Lamphu district earlier, for which Kleang Huat was ordered to be prosecuted in Thailand. However, it remains up to the Attorney General to decide whether to pursue charges, as Kleang Huat is no longer in Thailand.
This clip is the second to be filed against Hun Sen. The first clip is a conversation with Prime Minister Ung Ing. The case outline has been set and witnesses have been identified for the investigation. Some relevant individuals have already been summoned for questioning, and it is expected to be completed by August. No other complaints have been filed.
Ms. Thitiwadi stated that after receiving the case file, it will be forwarded to the Office of Investigation to determine whether it constitutes an extraterritorial case. Upon receiving the case’s opinion, it will be submitted to the Attorney General for further consideration and orders. She cannot yet specify how long this will take, as the details of the two audio clips differ.