Nine Thai army collaborators arrested for espionage
Nine Thai army collaborators arrested for espionage
Synopsis: Nine Cambodians accused of spying for the Thai army face revocation of their citizenship ‘without exception’, says minister.
The Minister of Interior Sar Sokha yesterday confirmed the arrest of nine Cambodian citizens suspected of spying for the Thai army, adding their espionage activities are considered treason and that they will face the revocation of citizenship.
The Cambodian suspects were arrested over the past several days after they had travelled to prohibited areas in Banteay Meanchey province’s Poipet city, Oddar Meanchey province’s Samraong City, and Preah Vihear province’s Choam Ksan district, while the fighting between Cambodian and Thai armed forces occurred.
Soldiers inspected them and confiscated GPS location tracking devices, equipped by the Thai army, hidden inside their clothing, in order to photograph and pinpoint Cambodia’s military manouevers during the fighting, especially battlefield positions, to the Thai army to target shelling with heavy artillery in the locations or at the soldiers on the frontline.
Sokha said that such activities have seriously affected national security, national interest and the safety of Cambodian citizens, which is clearly stipulated in the Cambodian Criminal Code as punishment for treason.
They also face the revocation of their citizenships without exception, he added.
Sokha reminded Cambodians, “Do not let history write your name as a traitor.”
He called on all Cambodian citizens not to be coerced into activities that seriously affect national security, especially when the Cambodian forces are fighting to defend the nation against the Thai aggression along the border.
Touch Sokhak, spokesman at the Ministry of Interior, said yesterday that so far nine Cambodian citizens were arrested and accused of spying, and providing Cambodian military activity locations to the Thai army in exchange for a payment.
“We would like to solemnly declare that the authorities will not pardon any individuals who have committed acts of treason and against their own nation,” Sokhak said during a press conference on Monday.
“For those, who have committed these treacherous acts, will face serious punishment and have their Cambodian citizenship revoked in accordance with Cambodian Criminal Code,” he said.
According to a police report, the nine suspects are accused of “supplying foreign state with information prejudicial to national defence” under Article 445 of the Criminal Code and face a jail term between seven and 15 years each, if convicted.
On July 11, the Senate unanimously approved a proposed amendment to Article 33 of the Constitution of Cambodia, which allows for the revocation of citizenship under specific circumstances.
