Bangladeshis, Indians, Mongolians, Nepalese and Filipinos also among the victims
UN Special Rapporteur Viti Muntarbhorn concluded an 11-day mission to the country last week and said trafficking victims were experiencing a ‘living hell.’ (Photo: AFP)
Cambodian police have arrested 15 Thais wanted for cyber fraud and working illegally from a compound in the southern port town of Sihanoukville, following a request from the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh.
Interior Ministry spokesperson Khieu Sopheak told the government-aligned Fresh News service that arrest warrants had been issued against the 15 while another four people, who had not committed any crimes, would be allowed to return to their homes in Thailand.
The arrests came as Cambodia steps up its efforts to combat human trafficking.
Another eight Thai nationals were rescued from compounds in Sihanoukville, again at the request of the Thai embassy, late last week. Four of them tested positive for Covid-19 and Cambodia will provide care and treatment until they have recovered.
Sar Kheng, Deputy Prime Minister and chairman of the National Committee for Combating Human Trafficking, said in a statement that authorities had rescued 865 trafficked people and carried out 87 raids in regard to 17 cases with 60 suspects put before the courts since the start of this year.
“Investigations carried out showed that a large number of…
