Nature NGO denies claims of extortion

A pro-nature NGO yesterday denied allegations that four of its staff members were extorting fishermen in Siem Reap after police arrested and detained them.

Touch Sakol, Chi Kraeng district police chief, said that a group of fishermen complained that the suspects, who work for the Natural Resources Prevention and Development Organization, asked them for 300,000 to 400,000 riel (about $75 to $100) and threatened to seize and burn their fishing tools if they didn’t fork out the cash.

“A day after receiving the complaint, our forces launched the investigation at the site, and they found the suspects were extorting the money from other fishermen,” he said. “Then we just arrested them for interrogation and we forwarded the case to the court for further procedures.”

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