Fate of Sombath Somphone unclear
On Saturday the 15th December Sombath Somphone has been stopped by a traffic police outpost on his way home. According to CCTV footage Sombath walked out from his car to present documents. About 10 minutes later, a pickup truck came with hazard lights flashing. Then this pickup truck went away to an unknown destination. Since this incident Sombath has gone missing and his fate remains unknown.
Sombath is well known for his civil engagement in Lao. In cooperation with him, my wife and I have been working on different media projects during our time in Lao. In 2005 Sombath won the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership for his work in poverty reduction and sustainable development in a country that remains one of Southeast Asia’s poorest nations.
The government of Laos issued a statement denying responsibility for the disappearance of Mr. Sombath and suggested he had been kidnapped over a personal dispute. The statement did little to ease our fears about his well-being.
Find current information check here: http://sombath.org/
STEPHAN SAUTTER 