A former high-ranking National Police official accused of kidnapping his successor’s son proclaimed his innocence in a radio interview on Saturday, a day after a warrant for his arrest was issued.

Speaking from France, former lieutenant-general Nguon Seur, who held the position of deputy director of the general commissariat of the National Police, told Radio Free Asia that he had not been involved in kidnapping Sau Akno, 42, the son of General Sau Phan, in October.

Cambodian-French General Sau Phan replaced Nguon Seur as deputy director, but is now undersecretary of state of the Ministry of Interior.

“I have known nothing about this kidnapping activity in Cambodia. I am not the mastermind of it,” Nguon Seur said. “When I was a police chief in Cambodia, I used to arrest and jail many drug traffickers and other bad businessmen. Maybe someone disliked me and they have prepared an accusation for me.”

Kor Vandy, an investigating judge for the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, said a warrant for Nguon Seur’s arrest was issued on Friday.

Sea Sambath, chief of penal offence research at the Military Police office, said Nguon Seur, the president of the Citizen Party, had fled to France after masterminding the kidnapping, which included seven others.

Suth Sophy, 38, was arrested and charged with kidnapping on November 23 and Sao Bon, 40, was arrested and charged on November 28.

Police also suspect Hun Vanna, known as Lovear Chek, 38; Lim Thy, also known as Chan, 44; Cheat Vicheth, 30; a man known as Van, 44; and Kly Sophy, 32.

Sea Sambath said Lovear Chek and Lim Thy had fled to Thailand.

“To arrest and bring Nguon Seur and other suspects to justice, our police will be working with the French government via its embassy in Phnom Penh or other concerned international police through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation,” he said.  

Sau Akno was abducted on October 8 and released on October 23.