People's Daily Online
January 10, 2011
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen (pictured) said on Monday that no one can intervene in the case of the seven Thais arrested on Dec. 29 last year for illegal entry.
Hun Sen made the remarks following a rumour that ousted Thai former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra or Puea Thai Party wanted to mediate to release the seven detained Thais, including a Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok, Panich Wikitsate and Veera Somkwamkid, secretary general of People Network Against Corruption and Thailand Patriot Network core member.
"There are many comments these days, and also a publication said yesterday that Thaksin or Puea Thai Party want to intervene into the case of the seven arrested Thais, I just confirm that no one can intervene into judicial system, neither the government, nor foreigners, or Cambodians," said Hun Sen during a graduation ceremony at the National Institute of Education on Monday.
"I tell them that it is impossible, no matter which path you enter from, even from the United Nations because the case is now under the full authority of the Cambodian court, which must be respected."
After the trial, they can sue to appeal and then to the Supreme Court if they do not agree with the verdict, the premier said.
The seven detained Thais, including a Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok Panich Wikitsate and Veera Somkwamkid, secretary general of People Network Against Corruption and Thailand Patriot Network core member, were arrested on Dec. 29, 2010 by Cambodian border protection army for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now being detained in Phnom Penh's Prey Sar prison.
On Dec. 30, the deputy prosecutor of Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Sok Roeun, charged them for illegal entry and illegally entering a military base along the border, crimes which in Cambodia carry penalties of up to six months and one year, respectively and fine from 1 million to 2 million Cambodian riels (250 U.S. dollars to 500 U.S. dollars).
On Jan. 6, the investigating judge of Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Chaing Sinat had conducted a nearly 12-hour additional inquest on them, but the final decision has not been disclosed so far.
The Cambodian-Thai border has never been fully demarcated. And the two sides have had border conflict just one week after Cambodia's Preah Vihear Temple was registered as World Heritage Site in July 2008.
Since the conflict started, military standoff has been on and off along the two countries' border and several military clashes have already happened with recorded small causalities from both sides.
However, the border issue has been eased as the top leaders of Cambodia and Thailand have held four meetings since September last year.
Source: Xinhua
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