Chinese gunmen storm clinic in Siem Reap to free a Chinese drug prisoner

 

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 

A group of five masked gunmen stormed a clinic on August 17 morning in Siem Reap city, in an attempt to free a Chinese prisoner while he was receiving dental treatment.


The event took place at about 8 am on Thursday at the Chum Chenda Clinic located in Ta Phoul village, Svay Dangkum commune, Siem Reap city.




Siem Reap city police deputy Chief Lieutenant Colonel Mom Sarin told Khmer Times that at about 8 am on Thursday morning, four prison officers brought a Chinese prisoner, convicted for drug trafficking, for dental treatment at the clinic. 


While the prisoner was being treated the four officers were stationed outside the treatment room, when a group of five masked gunmen stormed into the clinic, Lt Col Sarin said. 


“During the raid, the five gunmen, who are Chinese nationals, pointed their weapons at the officers and handcuffed them,” Lt Col Sarin told Khmer Times.“After the handcuffing, they freed the prisoner and took him to a waiting Lexus 330 car and fled the scene,” he said.




After driving for about an hour, they abandon the vehicle in a secluded spot, on the outskirts of the city and fled on foot, he said.

After inspection of the car, police found four pistols with silencers, four masks and four sets of gloves, he added. The police now are searching for the gunmen and prisoner, he said.

Siem Reap Provincial Prison Deputy Chief Brigadier General Seng Samooeun told Khmer Times that the prisoner was a 45 year old Chinese national named Chen Hsin Han.  Chen was convicted by the provincial court to 52 years in prison. He was charged with “drug transport and trafficking” under Article 40 of Cambodia’s Law on Drugs Control and was arrested on February 11, 2009, he said. 

“This is the first time an incident like this has occurred in Siem Reap province,” he said.

“To prevent such events from happening in the future, we will be strengthening our security protocol,” he added.




 

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