A report from Cambodia China Times which claimed that Chen Zhi, founder and former chairman of Prince Group, was arrested in Cambodia and sent back to China to face possible charges, has been confirmed. It was not immediately clear when he was deported, or what, if any, charges he may be facing in China.
Zhi was sanctioned by the US government last year for his alleged role as the mastermind of a sophisticated money-laundering and online scamming operation.
An anonymous government source with inside knowledge of the issue confirmed that the reporting was accurate, although spokespeople from relevant authorities could not be reached for comment.
Chea Thyrith, Senate spokesperson, could not comment on the case. However, he posted on social media earlier, saying that any individual who committed illegal acts would not escape the law, “no matter in what position”.
“Individuals who attempt to link the names of the leadership — especially Samdech the Party President [Hun Sen] and Samdech Thipadei [Hun Manet] — to protect and conceal their own illegal acts and mistreatment of the people, are a target group that the ruling party will clean out,” he said.
