Cambodian king pardons Thai spy
PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s king pardoned a Thai man today three days after he was sentenced to seven years in prison for spying on Thailand’s fugitive ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in a case that soured relations between the neighbours.
Thaksin, who was ousted
in a 2006 coup, played a role
in winning the man’s release by calling Cambodia’s prime minister and asking for leniency, said government spokesman Khieu Kanharith.
Thai national Siwarak Chothipong, 31, will be released from prison Monday following his pardon by King Norodom Sihamoni, who granted the man’s release primarily on humanitarian grounds and was able to expedite it because the man had not appealed his conviction, the spokesman said.
The conviction on Tuesday followed Cambodia’s decision last month to name
Thaksin, a fugitive from justice in Thailand, as its special economic adviser.
The appointment and Thaksin’s subsequent visit
to Cambodia angered the government in Bangkok and resulted in a recall of ambassadors from both sides.
Siwarak, an employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was found guilty of stealing Thaksin’s flight schedule before his November 10 arrival and sending it to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh. He was charged with stealing information that could impact national security.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruled that Thaksin’s flight information was confidential and sharing it was a breach of security protocol for dignitaries. The pardon drew immediate praise from the Thai government, which also called the case politically motivated.
“The government expected this outcome,” said deputy Thai government spokesman Supachai Chaisamut. “There is no denying that politics is behind this case. “No matter who is behind this, this is a good thing,” he said.
There is widespread suspicion in Thailand that the
case was orchestrated to
allow Thaksin to step in behind-the-scenes to secure Siwarak’s royal pardon.
