Khmer Circle:
Hanoi must have thousands of spies embedded in every Cambodian institution and walk of life, from those sitting in the government cabinet, on the fishing boats and at the local coffee shops [many of which are Vietnamese-owned] to "advisors" attached to various ministries and, obviously, to the man sitting on top of the CPP regime's pyramid itself. No doubt, the Chinese also have their share of spies and spying over here; the Kingdom of Spies... Alas, none of these people have been caught or prosecuted by the courts for their activities or espionage.
The behaviour, characteristics and movements of some of these Vietnamese spies are so overt and detectable that locals will even point them out to some of us visiting: 'See that man wearing a white shirt who's just parked his car and now taking a seat for the coffee, well, he's a Vietnamese spy. He's always been extremely attentive and kind to kids, giving them handouts and stuff!'.
We know so many of other Khmer kids abducted off to Vietnam in the fifties and sixties [to acclimatise them to Vietnamese culture and political indoctrination] have since been instrumental in helping to entrench Vietnamese hegemonic control over the country. Many of these spies and ethnic Vietnamese are now chiefs of police, high-ranking interior ministry officials, educators, media reporters and editors, high court judges etc. Through them all, Vietnam's actual and imperceptible presence and influence in the country, in every sphere and locality, from the polity to the economics, is undoubtedly omnipotent and pervasive.
Did we mention assassins as well?! You may count on it...
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The 69-year-old' was charged with espionage after he was photographed flying a drone above a political rally.
James Ricketson was photographed flying a drone above a political rally organised by the now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). (Photo: Ouch Sony)
By Ouch Sony
29 Aug 2018 10:27PM (Updated: 31 Aug 2018 03:46PM)
Channel News Asia
PHNOM PENH: Australian James Ricketson's espionage trial came to a close on Wednesday (Aug 29), with Phnom Penh municipal court's deputy prosecutor Seang Sok further questioning the filmmaker over charges of collecting information that could jeopardise Cambodia's national defence.
Ricketson has spent more than a year behind bars after his bail was denied.
The 69-year-old was arrested on Jun 3, 2017, after he was photographed flying a drone above a political rally organised by the now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) ahead of a communal election.
He was later charged for espionage, although it is unclear for whom he was allegedly spying. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in jail.