Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Photo: by Sok Khemara
Mam Sonando, who
spoke to VOA Khmer from Switzerland, denied the allegations, but he said
he would return to Cambodia next month to face the charges against him.
“Those people who do not comply with his orders, or makes him unhappy, he will arrest and sentence to jail.”
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Tuesday made a public call for the arrest or extradition of an independent radio station owner he says is trying
to topple the government.
At a public speech at the National Institute of Education, Hun Sen said Mam Sonando, the owner of Beehive Radio and the president of the Democracy Association, should be charged with attempting to establish a state within a state.
“If you are not in the country, we will sentence you first and request extradition,” Hun Sen said.
Beehive Radio is one of the few independent broadcast media outlets in Cambodia. It rebroadcasts VOA Khmer programming, among others.
Mam Sonando, who spoke to VOA Khmer from Switzerland, denied the allegations, but he said he would return to Cambodia next month to face the charges against him. “It is dictatorial leadership,” he said of Hun Sen’s announcement. “Those people who do not comply with his orders, or makes him unhappy, he will arrest and sentence to jail.”
Mam Sonando is accused of collaborating with a group of Cambodians in Kratie province that authorities say planned to topple the government, leading to a heavy crackdown in Prama village, Chhloung district. During a clash with villagers there in mid-May, security forces shot dead a 14-year-old girl, Heng Chantha, and began sweeping arrests of men they accused of sedition.
Mam Sonando has been arrested in the past, in 2003 for allegedly fueling anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh, and in 2005, for reporting on alleged Vietnamese border encroachment.
At a public speech at the National Institute of Education, Hun Sen said Mam Sonando, the owner of Beehive Radio and the president of the Democracy Association, should be charged with attempting to establish a state within a state.
“If you are not in the country, we will sentence you first and request extradition,” Hun Sen said.
Beehive Radio is one of the few independent broadcast media outlets in Cambodia. It rebroadcasts VOA Khmer programming, among others.
Mam Sonando, who spoke to VOA Khmer from Switzerland, denied the allegations, but he said he would return to Cambodia next month to face the charges against him. “It is dictatorial leadership,” he said of Hun Sen’s announcement. “Those people who do not comply with his orders, or makes him unhappy, he will arrest and sentence to jail.”
Mam Sonando is accused of collaborating with a group of Cambodians in Kratie province that authorities say planned to topple the government, leading to a heavy crackdown in Prama village, Chhloung district. During a clash with villagers there in mid-May, security forces shot dead a 14-year-old girl, Heng Chantha, and began sweeping arrests of men they accused of sedition.
Mam Sonando has been arrested in the past, in 2003 for allegedly fueling anti-Thai riots in Phnom Penh, and in 2005, for reporting on alleged Vietnamese border encroachment.
9 comments:
needs to capture this bad guy very badly
and send him back to PHN court to face justice.
Most wanted guy in PHN.,
let make a report, if.. when ,, where, to see or meet him..
Because of Hun Sen's threat, this guy will stand a good chance in seeking political asylum. Thank you ah pleu Hun.
MAD DOG!!
3:54 PM, Mam Sonando is a French permanent resident. He lived in France for 40 years before returning to live in Cambodia. So he doesn't need to seek a political asylum, he just stay in France. But what about his political right and his business, the Sombok Khmum radio station he owned in Cambodia?
Don't believe your jungle court system in kampuchea full of crooks,corrupted's soul judge under pay dog,take bribes justice is blinded indeed.Let takes Hunsen to face justice in the real court system (international court) kangaroo court of the jungle 100% bias....jail the innocent, the quilty rams free...
Careful what you asking for little clawn! You are in heaven now enjoy it while you still can...your world will be turned upside down at any moment...
Who believe in jungle' s justice in kampuchea? No one!..Let all the non-communism free people file lawsuit against Hunsen and Cpp clans for killing and robbing Khmer's innocent at gun point,Boueng Kak,Kratie,kohs kong all prove that the killing were related causes by Cpp greedy pigs.
I actually don’t agree much with what Mr. Mam Sonando said most of the time nor am I not a fan of his Beehive Radio. However, I believe he is a man with great vision, and brave. He’s certainly not afraid to go to jail. He’s the kind of people who give me and many Cambodians aspiration as well as inspiration. Whether or not I disagree with him is irreverent. However, he’s always consistent when it comes to taking care for the poor and the needy. I, for one, never underestimate him. We, Cambodians need more people like Mr. Mam Sonando and Mr. Chut Wutty.
I sometime did give Prime Minister Hun Sen some credits by saying that a broken clock is at least right twice a day. However, if Prime Minister Hun Sen is willing to put people like Mam Sonando in prison then Cambodia is not just ruled by a broken clock, but also will be moving counter clockwise.
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