Thai police submit sedition case against Hun Sen to prosecutors
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Former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen delivering a speech during his visit to the Cambodian armed forces stationed along the border with Thailand in Oddar Meanchey province on June 26.
PHOTO: AFP
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BANGKOK – The Thai Cyber Crime Investigation Division 1 (CCID 1) has submitted a sedition case against former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen to prosecutors, citing his alleged interference in Thailand’s internal political affairs through social media.
On July 14, the CCID 1 commander, Police Major-General Siriwat Deepor, handed over a 50-page case file to public prosecutors.
The move follows a complaint filed by Mr Somkid Chueakong, deputy secretary-general to the Thai Prime Minister, who accused the Facebook account “Samdech Hun Sen of Cambodia” of violating Section 116 of the Criminal Code (sedition) and the Computer Crime Act.
The complaint centres on the release of a 17-minute audio clip featuring a phone conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Mr Hun Sen. The complainant claims the post posed a threat to national security and may constitute multiple criminal offences.
Mr Siriwat said investigators found the Facebook account in question to be managed by multiple administrators. It remains unclear whether Mr Hun Sen himself directly controls the account.
He added that the police decided to forward the case to prosecutors because the actions in question were “deliberate and harmful in intent”.
Meanwhile, Office of the Attorney-General spokesman Sakkasem Nisaiyok said that if sufficient evidence is found, the case will proceed to the criminal court. Should the accused fail to appear, the Thai authorities will seek arrest warrants through Interpol.
Mr Sakkasem noted that no specific timeline can be given, as the case involves sensitive legal and diplomatic considerations and must be reviewed carefully. the nation/asia news network
