Deminer Aki Ra Released on Bail
Phnom Penh, Cambodia News: Aki Ra and two other accomplices who were arrested for keeping illegal explosives in the Siem Reap Landmine Museum, have been released on bail.
It has been confirmed that the three persons charged were released on bail on September 21, 2018 by Investigating Judge Sin Sovannaroth.

The three accused are Aki Ra, 47-year-old president of the Cambodian Mine Action Museum, Oeun Yon, 54, Deputy Head of the NGO and Heng Sokunthea, 39, Chief Executive.

A CMAC specialist said that after searching the museum, CMAC seized 9 grenades, 72 A mines, 325 bullets, and various firearms.

Akira museum owner may see weapons charges dropped
November 15, 2018
A high-ranking Cambodian Mine Action and Victims Assistance Authority official is attempting to have Siem Reap Provincial Court drop charges against the owner of the Cambodian Landmine Museum.

Museum owner Oeun Yeak, also known as Akira, and directors Heanh Sokunthea and Oeun Yun are on bail while facing illegal weapons charges after a fire at the museum led to an explosion in August.

Since then, police have closed the museum for lacking proper permits to store and display unexploded ordnance. Nine bombs, 15 mines, 325 bullets and other explosives were confiscated following the closure.

Ly Thuch, vice president of CMAA, said during a Cross Talk discussion with Khmer Times yesterday that his officials visited the court on Tuesday to submit a request letter.

“We have been coordinating with the provincial court and local authorities to re-open the museum. I think that the museum will begin operating again soon,” Mr Thuch said. “Akira is a hero of Cambodia. He made the country known to the world. We respect and admire his work and CMAA is obliged to guarantee that his museum operates lawfully.”

He added that he is also requesting provincial authorities to reopen the museum as soon as possible and return seventeen children currently under the care of the provincial social affairs department to the museum. The children were being cared for by Mr Yeak and were taken into state custody after his arrest.

Mr Yeak is a former Khmer Rouge child soldier who worked as a deminer and the museum’s curator. His devotion to demining and care for young victims of landmines garnered him the title CNN Hero by the cable news channel in 2010.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50550673/a ... s-dropped/

December 21, 2018
Owner plans to reopen Akira Museum

Heanh Sokunthea, director of the Akira Museum, yesterday said management wants the museum to resume operations as soon as possible due to financial needs.

Akira Museum owner Oeun Yeak. Supplied

“We hope the court will allow us to reopen our museum because we need funds to help the children,” Mr Sokunthea said, adding that in the meantime, Mr Yeak is tutoring students.

“Tourists, please help support our museum when we reopen it,” he added.

Ly Thuch, vice president of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority, could not be reached for comment yesterday.

However, during a Cross Talk discussion with Khmer Times last month, Mr Thuch said CMAA will support Akira Museum’s reopening and hinted that Mr Yeak’s charges could soon be dropped.

“We have been coordinating with the provincial court and local authorities to re-open the museum. I think that the museum will begin operating again soon,” he said. “Akira is a hero of Cambodia. He made the country known to the world. We respect and admire his work and the CMAA is obligated to guarantee that his museum operates lawfully.”
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50561774/o ... ra-museum/

January 18, 2019
CMAA wants Akira appointed goodwill ambassador
The Cambodian Mine Action Authority will request Prime Minister HE to appoint Cambodian Landmine Museum owner Oeun Yeak, better known as Akira, as a goodwill ambassador in recognition of his contributions to demining work.

Ly Thuch, CMAA vice president, yesterday said that he would send the request to Mr HE after a working group completes evaluating all that Mr Yeak has done to serve the nation.

Mr Yeak is a former Khmer Rouge child soldier who worked as a deminer and is the museum’s curator. His devotion to demining and care for young victims of landmines garnered him the title CNN Hero by the cable news channel in 2010.

In late August last year, Mr Yeak, the museum’s executive director Hean Sokunthea and its deputy director Oeun Yun were arrested and the museum was shuttered following an explosion caused by a fire. They were charged with illegal weapons possession and were released on bail on September 21.

Mr Yeak said yesterday that CMAA officials called him a few days ago to discuss honouring him as a goodwill ambassador.

“I will be very happy if the government considers appointing me a goodwill ambassador because it is great honour,” he said. “I am determined to help clear all mines in Cambodia, continue helping young victims of landmines who have been disabled or orphaned and also build more schools in rural areas to help poor people.”

Mr Yeak noted that the Siem Reap Provincial Court has allowed him to reopen the museum this month and hopes that it will also drop the charges against him.
“I am still concerned that the charges have not been dropped and I am only out on bail,” he said.

Court spokesman Yin Srang yesterday said that the judge is still investigating Mr Yeak’s case.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50570252/c ... mbassador/

Siem Reap:

THE CAMBODIA LANDMINE MUSEUM WILL NOT BE OPENING JUNE 1
Although there was an announcement made on May 20 that all museums would be allowed to open June 1st, the Cambodia Landmine Museum has been advised that local authorities have not received the official notification from the government. Until that is received by local officials the Landmine Museum will not be allowed to reopen.
https://www.phnompenhpost.com/…/ban-tra ... -museums-r…
Please watch the Museum's website and Facebook page for further announcements.