THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Cambodia agrees to investigate Wanchalerm’s disappearance

Cambodia agrees to investigate Wanchalerm’s disappearance

Cambodia has agreed to investigate the disappearance of Thai pro-democracy activist Wanchalerm Satsaksit, who was abducted from a Phnom Penh street on June 4, spokesperson for the Cambodian national police, Chhay Kim Khoeun, told Agence France-Presse on Tuesday (June 9).

Human Rights Watch cited witnesses and security camera footage showing the 37-year-old critic of the Thai military government, being bundled into a car by armed men.
Thai police have denied any involvement, saying they do not know of Wanchalerm’s whereabouts, while the Foreign Ministry spokesperson has contacted the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh asking for more information.
Wanchalerm’s family, meanwhile, has issued a public request asking the abductors to release the man as soon as possible, despite rumours that he may have been killed.
Rights defenders and democracy supporters are also pressuring the Thai government to seriously investigate the case.
AFP has reported that Wanchalerm was accused of violating the Computer Crime Act by criticising the government on Facebook.
Human Rights Watch has also brought up the names of at least eight political activists who sought asylum in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam and eventually disappeared.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday that he was ready to collaborate with any relevant agency to help find Wanchalerm. He also said he would extend a helping hand to the victim’s family, but cannot interfere with the work of the Cambodian investigation team.
He also said that the Foreign Ministry was looking into the case.

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