Laos says fate of missing activist unknown

BANGKOK (AFP) - Laos said on Thursday that it was unaware of the whereabouts of an award-winning development activist whose disappearance has triggered international concern, suggesting he may have been kidnapped.

Mr Sombath Somphone, 62, was last seen on Saturday in Vientiane when his car was stopped at a police post, according to his wife Ng Shui Meng. CCTV images appear to show him being driven away with two unidentified people.

In a statement carried by the official KPL Lao News Agency, the authorities said Mr Sombath might have been abducted over a personal dispute.

"It may be possible Mr Sombath has been kidnapped perhaps because of a personal conflict or a conflict in business or some other reasons and at this stage the authorities are not in a position to say exactly what has actually happened, why Mr Sombath has gone missing and who (has) been involved," it said.