Lawyers Appeal To Cambodian Supreme Court To Free Veera

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BORDER DISPUTES

Lawyers appeal to Cambodian Supreme Court to free Veera

By The Nation

Cambodian lawyers submitted another appeal yesterday to the Supreme Court to free on bail Thai nationalist activist Veera Somkwamkid - the only one of seven Thai nationals being held in jail for allegedly entering the country illegally.

The appeal court earlier rejected Veera's bail request on the grounds he might hurt public order and would not be safe if freed from jail.

The Supreme Court will take five days to consider the new request, Thai foreign minister's secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said.

Veera and the other six Thais - including Democrat lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth - were arrested near Sa Kaew province's Ban Nong Chan while inspecting the disputed border area on December 29.

They were charged with illegal entry and unlawfully entering a military zone, charges that could bring them combined prison sentences of 18 months.

Six were freed on bail but had to stay in Cambodia awaiting the trial, which was set for February 1.

Veera and his aide Ratree Pipatanapaiboon were additionally charged with espionage for allegedly collecting information that could harm Cambodia's security. They could face a maximum 10 years' jail if convicted.

Unlike Ratree, who was temporarily freed on bail despite facing the same charge, Veera insisted he was arrested in territory under Thai sovereignty and did not come under Cambodian court jurisdiction. He refused to cooperate with the court in the prosecution and would not accept a translator provided by the court, requesting a new one from the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh.

The Thai government was unable to intervene in the case and will not oppose the Cambodian judicial system's work until proceedings end.

A speedy trial was the only option the Thai government had requested from the Cambodian authorities, Chavanond said.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called a meeting with officials, including Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, to seek solutions to help the seven Thais.

Abhisit asked the two ministers to find channels to help bring back all the Thai nationals quickly and safely, Chavanond said after the meeting.

The Thai government is under pressure from Veera's group, the Thai Patriots Network, which has been protesting in front of Government House demanding that officials take a tough stance on the Thais' release. They also demanded that senior officials - including Abhisit and Kasit - step down for their failure to help the seven Thais.

-- The Nation 2011-01-21

[random]

Let him rot, the guy is like a bully that thinks he can do whatever he wants and then expect the government to either turn a blind eye or help him out of whatever mess he has got himself into. A classic example of someone that thinks he is above the law, based on the soft handling of him my this current government.

Those days seem to be gone, and nobody told this clown, hope he rots in hell.

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ASTV: Cambodian court will hand down verdict on 7 Thais at 2 P.M. today; MFA to hold press conference at 10 A.M. /TAN_Network

[asiawatcher]

Let him rot, the guy is like a bully that thinks he can do whatever he wants and then expect the government to either turn a blind eye or help him out of whatever mess he has got himself into. A classic example of someone that thinks he is above the law, based on the soft handling of him my this current government.

Those days seem to be gone, and nobody told this clown, hope he rots in hell.

Would have to agree - he deserves a reward for his arrogance.

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Cambodian Court to Hand down Ruling on 5 Thais

The Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry has affirmed that the ruling to be handed down by the Cambodian Court at 2 P.M. today is for 5 Thais and excludes the case against Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipatanapaiboon. The two have been slapped with an additional charge of espionage.

-- Tan Network 2011-01-21

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Veera claims being arrested on Thai soil

BANGKOK, 21 January 2011 (NNT) – Thai Patriots Network (TPN) coordinator Veera Somkwamkid, the only Thai border crosser left detained in Cambodian prison, has insisted that he was arrested on Thai soil.

According to TPN Coordinator Soonthorn Rakrong, TPN Legal Advisor Nathaporn Toprayoon and some core members of the group on Wednesday travelled to Cambodia to meet the six Thais now staying at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh and visit Mr Veera detained at Prey Sar Prison.

The seven Thais were arrested for illegal entry and trespassing military zone last month. They include Mr Veera, his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon, Sub-Lieutenant Samdin Lertbussaya, Mr Tainae Mungmajon, Ms Narumol Chatvaratana, Democrat MP Panich Vikitsreth and his aide Kitchaponthorn Chusanasevin.

According to Mr Soonthorn, Mr Veera still insisted that he was arrested on Thai soil and his visit to the area followed complaints from local residents. Mr Soonthorn cited Mr Veera as saying that he had sacrificed himself in order to let the other six Thais be bailed out.

Veera also thanked all Thais for giving him moral supports and vowed that he would remain in the Cambodian prison to fight against any charges, including espionage no matter how long it would take.

In addition, Mr Soonthorn informed the press that both Ms Narumol and Ms Ratree would continue fighting in the Cambodian court as they had authorized Mr Nathaporn to arrange new Cambodian lawyers and interpreters, not the ones provided by the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.

-- NNT 2011-01-21

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Related topic:

Five Thais on trial in Cambodia over border case

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