No statement to Cambodian court on spying charge

BANGKOK, Jan 12 — Veera Somkwamkid, leader of the Thai Patriot Network, one of seven Thais detained in Cambodia following last month’s border incident, made no statement at court Wednesday morning, but asserted he would provide his statement to the court through an interpreter provided by Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, according to Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, secretary to Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Mr Veera, Secretary General of the People’s Network Against Corruption and his secretary Ratree Pipattanapaiboon were taken to Phnom Penh Municipal Court Wednesday morning for a hearing on spying charges on top of the charges of illegal entry and trespassing into a Cambodian military area already heard.

The government prosecutor alleged that the duo had gathered security information that could pose a severe threat to Cambodian security.

Mr Chavanond said, according to the report he received, Mr Veera refused to testify and insisted that he would answer question through the interpreter provided by the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh and that the embassy was ready to support his request.

However, court regulations permitted only a court interpreter, he said, adding that the embassy had initially submitted a petition to the court to allow use of the embassy interpreter. The possibility depended on the court’s decision, he said.

Mr Chavanond said that as for Ms Ratree, the ministry has no information whether she has given a statement to the court or not.

Meanwhile he believed that in the next two days, more developments could be seen as to whether the five Thais would be granted bail.

Asked by reporters whether additional lawyers are needed for Mr Veera and Ms Ratree, Mr Chavanond said the discussion must be made with the legal team.

He added that after the court delivers its verdict, the governments of the two countries would negotiate on ways of helping the seven Thais.

A swap of prisoners could be an option, but it is too far ahead to consider at the moment as it must wait for the court verdict, he said.

The seven Thais, including Democrat member of parliament for Bangkok Panich Vikitsreth, were arrested Dec 29 by the Cambodian authorities for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and are now 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

According to Cambodian laws, the two facing espionage charges may face five to 10 years imprisonment if found guilty.

As for the plan of the Thailand Patriot Network to rally at Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province to press for the closure of the border checkpoint, Mr Chavanond said it was the basic right of the group but he pointed out that helping the seven Thais would be more smoothly if there were no complicating factors.

The Thai Patriot Network announced that they would protest at Government House tomorrow demanding the resignation of Foreign Minister Kasit and his secretary Chavanond for failing to protect the rights of the Thai people and national honour.

Mr Chaiwat said they were negligent in not helping the seven Thais and instead admitted the Thais had trespassed on Cambodian soil in the hope they would finally get a royal pardon from the Cambodian king which made it more difficult to fight the case.

He said the Cambodian court has no authority to try the seven Thais as it violated the Fourth Geneva Convention, to which both countries are signatories, which prohibits the arrest and trial of civilians in a disputed area.

Mr Chaiwat said the network would rally at Government House Thursday to press the government to comply with its demand.

If the government did not do so, he said, the network will rally at Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province to close the checkpoints and inspect illegal activities along the border including goods and drug smuggling and illegal labour. (MCOT online news)