Ya Soknim (L) and In Soklyda at a press conference.ABC Radio Australia
A Cambodian victim of an acid attack by a high-ranking military police official will seek asylum in Malaysia.
Ya Soknim and 18 relatives plan to apply for refugee status through the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia.
Six people convicted in the May 2008 attack - including former military police Brigadier General Chea Ratha - remain free.
Chea Ratha and five accomplices were convicted in absentia in November for the acid attack.
Scars
It left Ya Soknim with severe scarring on her face and torso.
Prosecutors accused Chea Ratha of ordering the attack after Ya Soknim's niece, beauty queen In Soklyda, broke off a lesbian sexual relationship.
Family members say they have received death threats from people associated with Chea Ratha, who remains on Interpol's wanted list.
But it is not clear if Ya Soknim and her relatives fall within the legal definition of refugees.
Ya Soknim and 18 relatives plan to apply for refugee status through the office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Malaysia.
Six people convicted in the May 2008 attack - including former military police Brigadier General Chea Ratha - remain free.
Chea Ratha and five accomplices were convicted in absentia in November for the acid attack.
Scars
It left Ya Soknim with severe scarring on her face and torso.
Prosecutors accused Chea Ratha of ordering the attack after Ya Soknim's niece, beauty queen In Soklyda, broke off a lesbian sexual relationship.
Family members say they have received death threats from people associated with Chea Ratha, who remains on Interpol's wanted list.
But it is not clear if Ya Soknim and her relatives fall within the legal definition of refugees.
No comments:
Post a Comment