Plea to pardon jailed plotters

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

By Meas Sokchea

Phnom Penh Post

Lawmakers from the opposition Sam Rainsy Party have asked Prime Minister Hun Sen to pardon five party activists jailed for their involvement in an apparent coup attempt in 2000.

In a letter dated October 27, the SRP requested that Bun Chanto, Tomloab Mil, Chan Bunkhen, Seng Narin and Hem Em – each of whom received 15-year prison terms for their role in the coup plot – be granted amnesties during the upcoming Water Festival.

The activists have all served more than two-thirds of their sentences, making them eligible for pardons under Cambodian law.

“Please Samdech [Hun Sen], intervene to secure pardons for the five convicts, who have served over two-thirds of their convictions … so that they have the freedom to meet with their families and rebuild their future as ordinary Khmer citizens,” the letter read.

The five activists were among many jailed in connection with a botched uprising staged by the so-called Cambodian Freedom Fighters, a US-based group led by Long Beach accountant Chhun Yasith.

In November 2000, about 70 CFF fighters, armed with AK-47s, grenades and B-40 rockets, slipped into the capital and attacked several government buildings.

Government troops quickly quelled the CFF’s ill-coordinated attack, leaving at least eight dead and 14 injured.

Minister of Information and government spokesman Khieu Kanharith declined to comment in detail, but said that any person involved in terrorist acts was unlikely to be pardoned....read the full story in tomorrow’s Phnom Penh Post or see the updated story online from 3PM UTC/GMT +7 hours.