KNLF founder Sam Serey flown to Denmark after arrest in Thailand

KNLF founder Sam Serey is seen in a photograph included in a government dossier of evidence purporting that Serey planned to bomb Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. Serey, who was arrested in Thailand on Wednesday, was flown to Denmark late Thursday. Supplied

Updated at 10:0am 28 April 2018

Political fugitive Sam Serey, wanted by the Cambodian government for allegedly operating a "terrorist" group, flew to Denmark early Friday morning, despite a request for his extradition from Thailand.

Serey confirmed the flight on Friday evening, saying only, "Yes, I am now arriving in Denmark."

Serey, founder of the dissident group KNLF, was arrested in Bangkok on Wednesday after overstaying his visa. Cambodian authorities put in a request for his extradition on Thursday, citing Serey's past convictions for trying to "topple the government". He was sentenced in absentia after being granted political asylum by Denmark, where he lives.

A senior Khmer National Liberation Front member based in Bangkok, who asked for anonymity to discuss the matter, confirmed that the Danish government and a human rights group intervened in Serey's case and that Thai authorities allowed him to leave around 1:20am on Friday morning.

He said he was not sure why the Thai government agreed to allow Serey to go to Denmark instead of Cambodia.

“Only him [Serey] and Thai authority could answer it," he said. "We as members are not aware of that."

Phil Robertson, the deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division, applauded the decision.

“Thailand deserves credit for making the right decision to respect Sam Serey’s continuing refugee status and sending him back to Denmark, the nation that is providing him with refugee protection," Robertson said in a statement. "Clearly, the Royal Danish Embassy, UN agencies and other like-minded diplomats in Bangkok were very determined in persuading the Thai government to respect Sam Serey’s refugee status and not send him back to Cambodia."

When contacted Friday, Ministry of Interior spokesman Khieu Sopheak said he did not know about the situation. Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Chum Sounry could not be reached.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs also did not respond to a request for comment.

A spokeswoman at the Danish Embassy in Bangkok, meanwhile, said she had "no new confirmed information." In a statement Thursday, the embassy confirmed only that a foreign citizen with permanent residence in Denmark was detained in Thailand.

Past convictions of Serey and several other members of the Denmark-based KNLF were widely seen as politically motivated.

Additional reporting by Andrew Nachemson

This version adds comment from Sam Serey. A previous update added comment from Human Rights Watch's Phil Roberston and other attempts at obtaining comment. A previous version of this article stated that Sam Serey flew to Denmark on Thursday. The article has been updated to reflect the fact that he traveled early on Friday morning.

Contact authors: Phak Seangly and Daphne Chen

MOST VIEWED

Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO
Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in
Ream base allegations must end, urges official
A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical
Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing
To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable
CP denied registration documents by ministry
The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do
Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit
Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former
After three deferrals, Capital Gains Tax to take effect Jan 1, 2024
The General Department of Taxation (GDT) will implement the Capital Gains Tax starting January 1, 2024 to after being deferred three times as industrial players warn that the implementation might have some negative impact on the property market growth, which is down due to the economic downturn.