Commune Chief Charged With Smuggling Wood
The Ratanakkiri Provincial Court on Thursday charged an opposition CNRP commune chief with smuggling protected forest products after he was arrested while transporting logs to sell in Vietnam, officials said. Sev Nhang, who was elected chief of Batang commune in O’Yadaw district for the Sam Rainsy Party in 2002, was arrested on Wednesday night while driving a car with 23 pieces of luxury-grade Thnong wood, district military police commander Sok Min said. … Ratanakkiri provincial deputy prosecutor Chea Sophek said that Mr. Nhang, who had been charged under articles 96, 98 and 100 of the Forestry Law, is being held in pretrial detention. Article 100 of the Forestry Law states that any activities carried out by police, military officers or local officials that “provides direct or indirect authorization” to illegal logging operations carry a sentence of between one to five years in prison and a fine of between 10 to 100 million riel, or about $2,500 to $25,000. …
Kuch Naren
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/commune-chief-charged-with-smuggling-wood-46467/
