Environment staff charged with extortion

[geovalin]

Seven members of an environmental group in Pursat province have been charged with extorting money from villagers who carried timber from forests for their homes. Em Sok, the deputy police chief of Krakor district, said the seven often threatened villagers who brought timber from the forests to build houses or for other family uses.
 

They allegedly extorted between 200,000 riel ($50) and 400,000 riel ($100) for every car carrying timber. He named the suspects as Keo Sarun, 68, Sok Voeun, 37, Chea Sak, 36, Sak Tho, 37, Lay Saroeun, 49, Sok Sokhom, 56, and Sam Sarath, 48. All the work for the Cooperative Protector Natural Resources Organization (CPNO)  based in Pursat province.They were arrested on Saturday and were sent yesterday to the Pursat provincial court for questioning.
 

They were later charged by the court prosecutor with “threats accompanied by extortion” which carries a sentence of between six months and two years. Mr. Sok said they were being questioned by the investigating judge and would be sent to prison for temporary detention today.

 

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