THREE Buddhist laymen were released from police custody on Saturday after being arrested for illegal fundraising.

Mam Hor, the police chief of Dangkor district’s Choam Chao commune, said they were arrested when locals grew suspicious of fundraising activities. The Buddhist laymen, or achars, allegedly had a letter stating the money was for a ceremony, though the deadline for money gathering had expired by several months. Mam Hor said the men were told not to raise money illegally again because it “affects Khmer culture and morals”.