Cambodian Journalists Alliance Association

Ex-Tycoon Heng Sithy Who Accused Top Officials Arrested at Russian Border

Former tycoon Heng Sithy, a photo post on his Facebook on December 29, 2024 before his arrest.
Former tycoon Heng Sithy, a photo post on his Facebook on December 29, 2024 before his arrest.

Former tycoon Heng Sithy, who made a series of corruption allegations against senior government officials and families of the ruling party, has been arrested at the Russian border. He is set to be extradited to Cambodia to face legal proceedings following a request from the Cambodian authorities to list him on Interpol’s Red Notice.

Sithy, who posted his allegations against government leaders regularly on his Facebook account, went silent two days ago as news of his arrest surfaced. Interior Ministry spokesperson Touch Sokhak confirmed that Sithy was arrested a few days ago and that Cambodia is completing procedures with the country where Sithy was arrested. According to Fresh News, Sithy was arrested at the Russian border. 

However, the spokesperson said the arrest was not related to Sithy defaming government leaders but because he evaded arrest warrants and other complaints in November. 

“The arrest was not because he defamed high-ranking government officials but it is because he evaded [an] arrest [order] which was issued by the court earlier,” Sokhak said.

Prior to the arrest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation sent a letter to Cambodian embassies overseas to inform them that the Ministry of Interior has annulled Sithy’s passport on the back of an arrest warrant for charges of blackmail.

In November, Phua Gek Seng, a Singaporean citizen who holds Cambodian citizenship, filed a lawsuit against Sithy, accusing him of defamation and extortion. The lawsuit followed Sithy’s allegations that Phua operated the largest online casino network in Cambodia, engaged in money laundering activities, and paid $5 million to National Police Commissioner Sar Thet to fabricate a false report to facilitate his arrest.

Sithy, a real estate businessman whose honorary tycoon title was revoked by the King in late December 2024, also accused several high-ranking officials of corruption and involvement in cybercrimes. 

He alleged that Kandal Provincial Governor Kuoch Chamroeun amassed hundreds of millions of dollars in cryptocurrency during his tenure as Governor of Preah Sihanouk (2019–2024).

Sithy further implicated Interior Minister Sar Sokha and Phnom Penh Municipal Police Chief Chuon Narin of corruption. Additionally, he accused Hun To, a nephew of former Prime Minister Hun Sen, of embezzling $9 million from a Chinese investor seeking approval for a mining project.

Kuoch Chamroeun, Sar Thet, Sar Sokha, and Hun To have all denied the allegations. 

Sithy also denounced Cambodia as a country full of online scams or call center crimes, which he believed seriously affected Cambodia’s image on the international stage, particularly in terms of economy, trade, investment, and tourists.

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