The Department of Internal Security and Battambang provincial police arrested a man on Friday in connection with an armed group which authorities said were attempting to topple the government.

The arrest was made after a warrant was obtained from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crimes Department chief Y Sok Khy told The Post yesterday that after the operation, police sent the suspect to the court.

“We sent him to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Saturday. We arrested the suspect after it issued a warrant,” he said.

Moung Ruessei district police chief Sar Kemlong said the suspect was not born in Battambang province but was hiding there over the Pchum Ben festival holidays.

The arrest warrant named the suspect as Peng Sokha, also known as Mao, 53. He lives in Kampong Speu province's Phnom Sruoch district.

Sokha's arrest warrant was issued on October 2 by Im Vannak, an investigating judge at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, because of his connection to the “creation of an armed group and possession of weapons without authorisation”.

Operations were conducted in Phnom Penh, Kampot, Pursat and Kampong Speu provinces on September 22.

Kemlong said the suspect escaped after his arrest and hid in Moung Ruessey district until his recapture.

Eight other suspects have been charged with creating an armed group, possession of weapons and explosives without authorisation, and joining an armed group.

They are Sieng Van Doeun, Vorn Leng, Vorn Savan, Thorn Samet, Heng Hai, Nob Von, San Sao Ry and Pen Bun Thoeun.

As of press time on Sunday, The Post was unable to obtain a comment from Ly Sophana, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman.