Two policemen sacked for concealing illegal entry of foreign nationals

The Ministry of Public Security has stripped two Savannakhet police officers of their position and cancelled their allowances, charging them with deliberately concealing the movements of foreigners who entered Laos illegally.
They were also accused of involvement in illegal gambling and trade.
The ministry last week issued documents initiating penalties against the two policemen.
One of the officers was named as Captain Phousai Sisavanh, 34, at the Public Security Headquarters in Kaysone Phomvihane city, Savannakhet province.
He is charged with violating public security regulations which forbid officers from neglecting their duty and concealing the movements of foreigners to enter Laos illegally.
He also violated Article 141.244 of the criminal code by being involved with illegal gambling and trade.
The second officer was named as Captain Sonealay Phothilath, 33, a police officer at the Public Security Office in Songkhon district.
He is charged with violating Article 141.244 of the criminal code by using his position of power for personal benefit, involvement in a drug ring, illegal gambling, illegal trade, and neglecting his duty by allowing foreign nationals to enter Laos illegally.
The two police officers are believed to have contacted two Thai nationals to enter Laos illegally after crossing the Mekong River by boat from Thailand to Savannakhet province on April 6.
It is thought that the two Thai men could have triggered the Covid-19 outbreak in Laos after they travelled to Vientiane.
They will be dealt with in line with the regulations on repatriating offenders under the convention to which the two countries are party, according to the General Police Department.
The Ministry of Public security will bring the full force of the law to bear on individuals or groups, including foreign nationals, responsible for transmitting the Covid-19 virus and no one will be exempt, including workers, students and government officials.
Legal proceedings will be initiated against the persons involved through the courts and they will be prosecuted and sentenced depending on the severity of their offence.
Despite the ongoing pandemic, some people in Laos failed to comply with the measures laid down by the National Taskforce for Covid-19 Prevention and Control and deliberately concealed their movements. Their inconsiderate actions spread the Covid-19 virus in places of entertainment, restaurants, and other locations.
The number of new cases of Covid-19 continues to increase despite the government’s reinforced measures to contain the spread of the virus.

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update May 12, 2021)