January 12, 2011
Xinhua
Phnom Penh Municipal Court's investigating judge Chaing Sinat on Wednesday upheld a new additional charge on two of the seven arrested Thais, said a defense lawyer.
The two Thais are Veera Somkwamkid, a core member of the Thailand Patriot Network, and Ratree Taiputana Taiboon, known as Veera's secretary.
On Jan. 10, the court's deputy prosecutor Sok Roeun applied a new additional charge on the two Thais with an attempt in " collecting information which might damage Cambodia's national security."
The charge that could face between five and 10 years in jail if found guilty, according to the article 446 of the Cambodia's new penal code.
"The investigating judge upheld the charge on the two Thais for spying," Pich Vicheka, one of the two defense lawyers for the seven arrested Thais, confirmed to Xinhua on Wednesday after more than three hour inquest on the two Thais at the court.
He said that so far, the court has not set the date for a trial for the seven detained Thais.
Chaing Sinat did not pick up the phone after repeated calls by reporter on Wednesday.
The seven arrested Thais are a Democrat Member of Parliament for Bangkok Panich Wikitsate, Veera Somkwamkid, Thailand Patriot Network core member, Samdin Lersbusya, secretary for Heaven and Earth Party, Kochpontorn Chusanaseree, assistant to Panich, Taynae Moongmachon, pressperson, Ms. Naruemol Chitwaratana, house keeper and Ms. Ratree Paiputana Paiboon, vendor and known as Veera's secretary.
They were arrested on Dec. 29, 2010 by Cambodian border protection troops for illegal entry into Cambodian territory in Banteay Meanchey province and now are being detained in Phnom Penh' s Prey Sar prison.
They were charged on Dec. 30 last year for illegal entry into Cambodia and unlawful entry into military zone. They may face up to 18 months in prison and fine from 1 to 2 million Cambodian riels (250 U.S. dollars - 500 U.S. dollars) if found guilty.
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