Hun Sen Might Seek Reduction In Veera And Ratree's Jail Terms

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THAI-KHMER TIES

Hun Sen might seek reduction in Veera and Ratree's jail terms

THE NATION

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen might consider asking for a reduction in the jail terms of the yellow-shirt leaders next May during the celebrations of King Norodom Sihamoni's birthday and the traditional Khmer New Year, Cambodian media reported.

Hun Sen reportedly made this promise to Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra when she visited Phnom Penh last month to seek the release of yellow-shirt activists Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, who are being held on espionage charges.

Veera was sentenced to eight years in prison, while Ratree has to serve six years.

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan said that bilateral talks between the two countries could pave the way for an exchange of prisoners or a royal pardon, but said it was necessary for the two suspects to first serve two-thirds of their jail term.

"I think that [because of] the current good sentiment of the premier, he may request for a reduction of their sentences during the king's birthday and the traditional Khmer New Year," Phay Siphan was yesterday quoted as saying by Phnom Penh Post.

The Abhisit Vejjajiva government failed several times in its attempt to free the two activists, who were arrested last December while allegedly inspecting the disputed border area near Sa Kaew provinces' Ban Nong Chan area, due to sore relations between the two governments. However, though tensions between the two countries have eased since the July 3 elections put Yingluck in power, the two activists remain behind bars.

The two countries have many tasks to complete before relations can be restored. For instance, they need to call a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) to discuss the withdrawal of troops from the demilitarised zone near Preah Vihear temple as per the International Court of Justice's instructions.

After a recent visit to Phnom Penh, Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha said the GBC would meet soon but the dates have yet to be fixed.

-- The Nation 2011-10-05

[dominique355]

So much for the independence of the judicial system in Cambodia.

And I am sure if they were Red Shirts, they would be free already. The color Red has a special significance in Cambodia and especially for Hun Sen.