Chinese National Detained After Financial Scam Protest in Phnom Penh

A Chinese national was detained by the Phnom Penh Municipal Police on Monday for questioning after participating in a demonstration outside the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) – said to be the second arrest linked to the series of protests. Authorities have not provided a reason for the arrest. While Kuoch Sophea, deputy police chief of Sen Sok district, confirmed with CamboJA News that the Chinese man was held by the municipal police, he referred further questions to them. Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Chuon Narin and police spokesperson Som Vicheka did not respond to requests for comment from CamboJA News. Another Huione Pay customer, who was part of Monday’s protest, said the man may have been caught on his way home after the event ended that afternoon. Speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, the customer told CamboJA News that other participants believed his detention was related to banners displaying photographs of senior government officials, which were held by protesters during the rally. “There was no confrontation [on the day of the protest]. The only issue was that the Chinese protesters printed photos of Cambodia’s new leaders,” she said. “After the police told them to put the photos away, they complied and removed them.” “We never expected anyone to be arrested because we hadn’t done anything wrong, and there were no conflicts with the authorities,” she added. The woman stated that the detained man “merely helped to collect the banners” when the protest ended but was not responsible for the printing. Huione Pay and H-Pay customers have been protesting for about two months now, demanding a solution to recover their funds. So far, they said, they have not received any resolution beyond the NBC’s advice to pursue legal action. This is not the first detention of a Huione customer who lost money in the financial institution since the protests began following the extradition of Huione executive Li Xiong to China in early April. Two Cambodian men, who represented Huione Pay customers, were charged with incitement to cause serious disorder affecting public security and for obstructing public traffic later in April. The woman appealed to the police for the release of the Chinese man, describing him as a victim. She recalled the man being in his 60s and suffering from health problems but unable to pay for his treatment because about $300,000 of his money remains frozen in Huione Pay. The woman heard from others that the Chinese Embassy may intervene to seek his release. The Chinese Embassy in Phnom Penh did respond to CamboJA News.