The Cambodian Human Rights Action Committee—an umbrella group of 18 human rights groups —will investigate whether a local rights worker has been threatened following his allegations that high-ranking officials have stashed millions of dollars in Singapore banks.
Nhem Vanthorn, director of the Khmer Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Organization, reported that unidentified individuals had threatened him on Friday.
“We don’t know the context,” said Chhun Sath, a CHRAC member and acting representative of local human rights group Adhoc. “But [Nhem Vanthorn] considers them as a threat to him.
“We will try to monitor and investigate this case,” he said.
Nhem Vanthorn recently stated publicly that he was the source of long-running rumors that high-ranking Cambodians possessed 26 bank accounts in Singapore containing some $800 million.
Though devoid of any documentation to support his claims, Nhem Vanthorn said last week he stands by his information, which he claims is known by Singaporean officials and US anti-money laundering investigators.
Singaporean Embassy officials in Phnom Penh have strongly denied all allegations of the bank accounts and suggest that Nhem Vanthorn’s claims may be politically motivated and aimed at embarrassing the Cambodian government.
Government officials have categorically denied the allegations.
Minister of Cabinet Sok An branded the bank account claims defamatory on Monday and warned that those who spread unsubstantiated rumors would be held accountable in court. “I think this allegation is outlandish,” Sok An told reporters at the Royal School of Administration.
Nhem Vanthorn remained defiant on Wednesday, saying that if the government wants to accuse him of defamation, then they must investigate his claims. If proved wrong, he would willingly go to prison, he said.
“Investigate, and prove I am wrong,” said Nhem Vanthorn, adding that he had received repeated threatening telephone calls, including one in which the caller asked: “Have you ever counted your teeth?”
