Pierre Guynot

The recent hospitalization of accused pedophile Pierre Guynot has raised fears among

NGO workers and police that it may be a pretext by the French Embassy to get him

out of the country.

Guynot was taken by Ministry of Interior police from Sih-anoukville prison to a hospital

in Phnom

Penh August 28.

Sihanoukville court prosecutor Mom Mith said that the former Minister of Justice,

Ouk Vithun, had sent two letters ordering Guynot's release from prison for treatment

for a heart condition. Mith said Vithun was prompted by the French Embassy to write

the letter.

Doctors in both Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville connected with Guynot's case said that

there was no real need for his hospitalization. Guynot underwent surgery August 30

for a condition known as condyloma, which is not a heart condition. He will remain

there for 10 days.

"His health is good," said Dr Mom Choth at a Phnom Penh hospital. "[He

has] no heart problems."

"I wonder why Guynot has been taken to a Phnom Penh hospital," said Prosecutor

Mith.

"A Sihanouk-ville doctor, Dr Sok Pheng, told me that his health is good and

he has no heart problems. He said it was not necessary for Guynot to go to Phnom

Penh."

Colonel Ten Borany, a coordinator with the Law Enforcement Against Sexual Exploitation

of Children Project, said there was sufficient evidence to convict Guynot.

"[Guynot] cannot be sent back to France without a trial," he added. "There

is no extradition law between Cambodia and France."

Guynot, a former go-cart owner in Sihanoukville, was arrested on May 31 and faces

charges of debauchery involving child pornography, illegal weapons possession and

illegal detention. If convicted, he could receive up to 20 years in prison.

"Look into my eyes. I did nothing wrong against any child in all my life,"

said Guynot when asked by the Post about his upcoming trial. "I think people

want to make trouble. People who know me don't understand."

The Post tried several times August 30 to reach First Secretary Patrice Bonnal at

the French Embassy for comment, but was told each time by his secretary that he was

too busy to answer questions.