Eight Cambodian loggers freed by Thais

Eight Cambodian prisoners were released from Thailand’s Sisaket provincial prison after being jailed for crossing the border to carry out illegal logging, a border official told Khmer Times on Sunday. Hou Dararith, the chief of the Choam Sa-ngam Border Checkpoint, said that among the eight people, one was a woman and they are all from Preah Vihear. Kampong Thom, Siem Reap and Oddor Meanchey.

There were arrested in March 2016 after crossing the border near the O’Svay gate in Oddor Meanchey province. He said after receiving those loggers from the Thai authorities they were sent to their home villages after promising not to commit offences again.

“We have educated them about the danger of logging in Thailand then let them go back home,” said Mr Dararith. “I told them it is risky to cross the border. If you are not arrested, you could be shot.” According to Mr Dararith, Thai authorities last week also arrested eight Cambodians who crossed the border to log in Thailand and Cambodian authorities have contacted them and asked for the release, but Thai authorities said they have sent the case to their superiors.

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