Embassy requests royal pardon for Veera, Ratree
By THE NATION
2011-03-17
The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh yesterday requested a royal pardon for the two convicted Thai activists, Veera Somkwamkid and Ratree Pipattanapaiboon, a Foreign Ministry source said.
The letter was submitted to the Cambodian Foreign Ministry but it was unclear when it would reach the Cambodian king, he said.
Veera and Ratree were sentenced on February 1 to eight and six years in jail for espionage after they were arrested on December 29.
They were inspecting a disputed border area near Sa Kaeow's Ban Nong Chan together with five Thais, including lawmaker Panich Vikitsreth, who were also tried in Phnom Penh on minor charges but have been released.
Veera's brother Preecha said the government should do all it can to help the inmates as Veera's condition is deteriorating. Preecha last met Veera on March 4 and found that his health was poor.