Thailand: Accused Land Mine Layer Sentenced This Week

Thailand: Accused Land Mine Layer Sentenced This Week

By: Pattaya Daily News

A Thai national arrested by the Cambodian military last February will be sentenced at court this week on a string of charges after laying several land mines along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Thailand, the 9^th of February 2010 [PDN]: Mr. Suphap Vong Pakna, a Thai national, was arrested in February of 2009 after allegedly entering Cambodian territory along the border with the intention of laying down several land mines. Mr. Pakna was arrested in the Oddar Meanchay province by Cambodian soldiers and was taken to the Cambodian military court. His sentence is due to be handed down sometime this week, revealed a statement mad by his court appointed Cambodian lawyer. 

   

At the hearing last week, Mr Pakna confessed to planting at least five explosive devices on the Cambodian side of the border. He further stated that a group of Thai soldiers had paid him to do so. 

Mr. Pakna’s lawyer, Sam Sokong, alleges that: “He (Mr. Pakna) tried to lay the land mines because he wanted to kill Cambodian people who patrol the border.” Mr. Sokong also stated that Mr. Pakna was a member of a group of approximately seven people involved with placing the land mines however; only he was captured. Mr. Pakna confessed to having entered Cambodian territory twice in order to place explosive devices, the second time being when he was arrested.   

The charges that Mr. Pakna is facing include; attempted murder, endangering national security and entering the country illegally. These charges carry a sentence of between 15 and 30 years if he is convicted.

News : John Weston
Photo : Internet