Russian Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov is paying a May 26-27 working visit to Cambodia. He is the highest-level visitor in the history of law enforcement cooperation between the two nations, and his arrival comes just days after former Okhna Heng Sithy was extradited to the Kingdom from Russia.

Krasnov was welcomed by Chea Leang, Cambodia’s Prosecutor General at the Supreme Court, as well as the leadership of the Ministry of Justice.

In Phnom Penh, Krasnov laid wreaths at the Independence Monument and the monument to the late King Father Norodom Sihanouk.

He will hold talks with the heads of relevant authorities and discuss issues of bilateral cooperation with other officials. A number of documents which will help strengthen and develop relations will also be signed, according to a press release from the Russian Prosecutor’s Office.

According to the release, the relation between Russian supervisory agencies and the Cambodian authorities began more than 10 years ago, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the Russian Prosecutor General's Office and the justice ministry was signed in 2016.

It added that in September last year, on the sidelines of the 9th Eastern Economic Forum, Krasnov and Leang signed an interdepartmental MoU on cooperation, which became the foundation for activating joint measures to ensure the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens.

The high-level visit began two days after Russian authorities returned Heng Sithy to Cambodia to face charges of aggravated blackmail. Following a series of public spats with officials, former high-profile businessman Sithy was arrested in Russia in January.

On the night of May 24, at the request of the justice ministry, Sithy was transferred to Cambodia. An INTERPOL red alert had been placed on the former businessman.

Sithy has publicly accused Sar Sokha, Minister of Interior, Hun To, a prominent Okhna, and Sar Thet, Commissioner-General of the National Police, of actively working to protect online criminals in Cambodia.

His allegations have been repeatedly refuted by the interior ministry, the national police and Hun To, who deemed them “fabricated information with malicious intent aimed at misleading the public”.

Justice ministry spokesperson Seng Dyna told The Post that Sithy’s return was in line with a 2017 extradition treaty signed by Cambodia and Russia, and followed a court-ordered arrest warrant.

Sithy has been charged with aggravated blackmail pursuant to articles 372 and 374 of the Criminal Code. The law stipulates a jail term of between 5 and ten years.

Regarding Krasnov’s visit, Dyna explained that the ministry will issue an outcome statement following the visit.