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LOS ANGELES — A native of Cambodia unleashed an attack to overthrow the government of that country, but the plot failed when only 200 supporters showed up to fight in the capital city of Phnom Phen, a prosecutor told jurors Wednesday.
In his opening trial statement, Assistant U.S. Attorney Lamar Baker said defendant Yasith Chhun was willing to risk other people's lives as part of the effort in 2000 dubbed Operation Volcano.
Baker portrayed Chhun as callous, cowardly and incompetent, and promised he would take jurors inside the conspiracy with testimony from officers who led the attack and are now serving prison terms in Cambodia for their involvement.
"Operation Volcano was a failure. It didn't succeed," he said.
Defense attorney Richard Callahan said his client, a U.S. citizen, was trying to save the country where he was born and raised.
"There was no intent for Mr. Chhun to murder anyone or injure anyone," said Callahan, adding that the attack was "misguided and naive."
Chhun, 52, an accountant from Long Beach, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to kill in a foreign country, conspiracy to damage or destroy property in a foreign country, conspiracy to use a weapon of mass destruction outside the United States, and engaging in a military expedition against a nation with which the United States is at peace.
He could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted.
The scheme crumbled in November 2000 when a late-night attack on
government buildings led to the deaths of three of his troops and injuries to several police and military officers.
Prosecutors played a tape of FBI interviews with Chhun after the attempted coup. He told federal agents that he was in Thailand during the attack and was in contact with his commanders, who were considering about 291 targets.
FBI Agent Donald Shannon testified that Chhun told him money raised in the United States was used to fund the attacks. Shannon said Chhun showed no remorse over what happened.
Prosecutors showed jurors letters allegedly written by Chhun in the months leading to the attack that talked about plans to "burst the volcano."
"They cut turkeys, I cut their necks. Bye, my first lady," one letter said. Several notes were signed, "Mr. President."
In newly released court documents, federal prosecutors portray Chhun as a fervent adversary of Cambodia's government who had misguided political aspirations.
Chhun is among a handful of so-called freedom fighters who have been arrested and charged in recent years with plotting to overthrow governments in Southeast Asia.
His trial is expected to last about three weeks.
Sarith's quote:
Well this is the wrong message. Don't worry. Bush's term will be end very soon. The next president of U.S. will have different policy on Cambodia.
Every Cambodian people are freedom fighter. This is the reason why we fled Cambodia to settle in U.S.A. Now they accused us a terrorist. How is about Hun Hen, his military, and the Vietnamese execute million and thousands of Cambodian people and Khmer Krom. No one was held responsible for their action. Mr. Chhun Yasith is like a hero to every Cambodian people who fight for our liberty and freedom from Vietnam invasion and the Khmer Rouge.
Date: 03/28/2008
Url:
http://www.montereyherald.com/ ....
Author: The Herald
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