Phnom Penh, May 25, 2025— Heng Sithy, a prominent former business magnate and outspoken critic of government corruption, arrived in Cambodia late on May 24 after being extradited from Russia, according to official sources. The extradition was carried out under the bilateral treaty between Cambodia and Russia, facilitating the return of individuals accused or convicted of crimes.
Heng Sithy, who was arrested in Russia earlier this year, faces serious charges related to threats and defamation. An arrest warrant issued by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on December 3, 2024, charges him with aggravated threats to defame under Articles 372 and 374 of the Cambodian Criminal Code. The warrant was issued following allegations of criminal conduct, including blackmail and making threats, against him in Cambodia.
The extradition process involved cooperation among Cambodian authorities, including the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Russian Embassy in Phnom Penh. Deputy Commissioner General and Police Spokesman Chhay Kim Khoeun confirmed that the extradition adhered to both Russian law and the extradition agreement between the two governments. The Ministry of Interior has indicated that Heng Sithy remains in the custody of Phnom Penh’s Prey Sar prison, also known as Correctional Center 1, where he will await further legal proceedings.
Heng Sithy’s legal troubles extend beyond recent charges. In December 2024, his honorific title “Ohkna” was revoked, and his Cambodian passport was nullified in January 2025. The former tycoon had been a vocal critic of high-ranking officials, exposing allegations of corruption involving top government figures and businesspeople both in Cambodia and China.
He accused former Preah Sihanouk Province Governor Kuoch Chamroeun of accepting $150 million to shield online gambling networks. Additionally, Heng Sithy filed complaints against Interior Minister Sar Sokha, National Police General Commissioner Sar Thet, and other officials, alleging criminal aid and corruption. Notably, he accused Sar Thet of receiving a $5 million bribe from a businessman in exchange for protecting illegal online activities, kidnapping, and forced labor operations.
Heng Sithy has publicly accused several officials of accepting bribes, oppressing officials, and failing to combat illegal online gambling. The court has ordered that he remain detained at Prey Sar Prison until further notice, as per the court order issued on May 25.
Heng Sithy’s extradition mirrors that of other notable figures such as Heng Pov, a former Phnom Penh police commissioner who was arrested in Singapore in 2006 and is currently serving a 100-year sentence for serious crimes, including violence and murder.
According to General Sar Thet, Commissioner-General of the National Police, Heng Sithy was transferred to Cambodia on the night of May 24, 2025, following his arrest in Russia and subsequent clearance through international cooperation. The process was facilitated by INTERPOL, which issued a Red Notice at the request of Cambodian authorities. The Russian authorities arrested Heng Sithy at a railway station in St. Petersburg on January 13, 2025, and the extradition was completed in accordance with the law.
Heng Sithy faces multiple charges, including “aggravated threats to defame,” which carry penalties under Cambodia’s Criminal Code. His legal case continues to unfold as authorities undertake the necessary procedures for his prosecution.
