Asia-Pacific

No amnesty for Thais jailed in spying

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-02-17 16:17

PHNOM PENH - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said Thursday that there will be no royal pardon for "Yellow Shirt" activists jailed in Cambodia for espionage.

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Hun Sen made the remarks during a rare press conference on Thursday at the Government House. "Veera Somkwamkid (one of  the leaders of the People's Network against Corruption and a high- profile activist in the Thailand Patriot Network) was  imprisoned for eight years - it's eight years in Prey Sar prison."

"And don't come to persuade me to ask King Norodom Sihamoni for royal pardon, it's impossible at this time.. comply with the law properly," the premier said, adding that it will serve "at least two third of the jailed term before being considered for royal  amnesty."

The Cambodian court, on Feb 1, convicted Veera Somkwamkid and his secretary Ratree Pipatanapaiboon of illegal entry, unlawful entry into military base and espionage and sentenced them to 8 years and 6 years in jail respectively.