Cambodian-American Arrested Over Anti-Government Banner

A Cambodian-American man was arrested in front of the Royal Palace on Wednesday for trying to hang a banner emblazoned with a message reporting the deaths of members of the prime minister’s family and declaring himself the new leader of Cambodia, according to officials.

Han Visot, 51, was apprehended by Daun Penh police at about 10 a.m. with a white banner declaring that Prime Minister Hun Sen’s wife, Bun Rany, and the couple’s eldest son, Lieutenant General Hun Manet, had died.

“Bun Rany died one month ago. Hun Manet on 7-14-14,” the banner reads in blue paint.

The banner also claimed that Cambodia had defeated Vietnam—though it does not specify in what battle—and says Mr. Visot is leading a new government, a task he had been assigned by the Hindu god Preah Prohm.

“Han Visot leads the new government. Preah Prohm assigned Han Visot,” the banner reads.

After being arrested, Mr. Visot was taken to the Daun Penh district office where he was questioned for about two hours. Reporters heard him asking police when he would be allowed to go home.

National Police spokesman Kirth Chantarith confirmed the arrest and said that police were currently trying to establish the state of Mr. Visot’s mental health.

“We arrested him for bringing a banner with writing ‘We win over Vietnam, Hun Manet died, Bun Rany died,’” Mr. Chantarith said.

“Now Han Visot has been sent to the municipal police to continue the investigation and particularly to study and evaluate whether he is mentally ill or not,” he said.

“He was a Cambodian living in the U.S. and we looked at his passport and driving license,” he said. “When he was issued the license, he would not have been mentally ill.”

Mr. Chantarith said that the suspect changed his story several times during questioning.

City Hall spokesman Long Dimanche said he was aware of the case.

“Our authorities have arrested the Cambodian-American for cursing and insulting the government’s leaders,” he said. “These insults are not normal.”

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