Veera Somkwamkid and Panich Vkitsreth in court.BANGKOK, Jan 11 (MCOT)– The Cambodian government prosecutor has added espionage to the charges levelled against two of the seven Thai nationals detained in Phnom Penh on top of the illegal entry and trespass into a Cambodian military area, according to Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
Veera Somkwamkid, Secretary General of the People’s Network Against Corruption and leader of the Thailand Patriot Network and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon were charged of gathering security information that could pose a severe danger to the nation and they would be questioned in the Phnom Penh court on Wednesday, said Mr Chavanond.
The two were among the seven Thais, including Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, who were arrested Dec 29, by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Khmer territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now being detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.
The Cambodian court finished the first hearings last Thursday. The detainees face two initial charges -- illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with possible punishment of three to six months jail and deportation, and also trespass into a Cambodian military zone, punishable by three to six months jail and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.
Mr Chavanond said the additional spying charge could make it more difficult for the Thai government to help the two, particularly to get their release on bail.
Meanwhile, as for the other five, the court has not issued any order, therefore, nothing could be done except to wait for the court’s action whether to start the trial or allow bail, he said. (MCOT online news)
Veera Somkwamkid, Secretary General of the People’s Network Against Corruption and leader of the Thailand Patriot Network and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon were charged of gathering security information that could pose a severe danger to the nation and they would be questioned in the Phnom Penh court on Wednesday, said Mr Chavanond.
The two were among the seven Thais, including Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, who were arrested Dec 29, by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Khmer territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now being detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar Prison.
The Cambodian court finished the first hearings last Thursday. The detainees face two initial charges -- illegal entry into the Cambodian kingdom, with possible punishment of three to six months jail and deportation, and also trespass into a Cambodian military zone, punishable by three to six months jail and Bt7,500-15,000 in fines.
Mr Chavanond said the additional spying charge could make it more difficult for the Thai government to help the two, particularly to get their release on bail.
Meanwhile, as for the other five, the court has not issued any order, therefore, nothing could be done except to wait for the court’s action whether to start the trial or allow bail, he said. (MCOT online news)
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