Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn said Chen Zhi’s recent arrest reflected Cambodia’s firm commitment to fighting transnational crime. Cambodia would continue close cooperation with partner countries, particularly against online scams.
In a Reuters interview on January 14,2026, Prak Sokhonn said: “Cambodia is committed to continuing cooperation against transnational crime and online scams with countries including the United States, China, the Republic of Korea and neighbours such as Vietnam and Thailand. Chen Zhi’s arrest was the result of a long investigation.”
The senior Cambodian diplomat also said: “Chen Zhi held Cambodian nationality, but when we investigated, it had not been acquired lawfully. He was also Chinese, so we decided to extradite him to China.”
The King ordered the withdrawal of Chen Zhi’s Neak Oknha title in December 2025. He was subsequently detained by the authorities on January 6,2026 and sent to the People’s Republic of China for judicial determination. By Chinta Titi.
