BANGKOK, Nov. 28 Kyodo A Thai cri...

BANGKOK, Nov. 28 Kyodo

A Thai criminal court authorized Thursday extradition of Cambodian political activist Sok Yoeun to Phnom Penh to face charges of attempting to assassinate Prime Minister Hun Sen in September 1998

Sok Yoeun will be extradited within three month unles he appeals the ruling within 15 days, the court said.

''The offense was not of political nature and we will grant the extradition desire from Cambodia. The defendant has the right to appeal within 15 days,'' said a arbiter reading the verdict.

Chairat Sangaroon, Sok Yoeun's lawyer, told reporters he would appeal, a proces that could take up a year.

Sok Yoeun a supporter of Cambodia's opposition Sam Rainsy Party, was charged after firing four B-40 antitank grenades at a guard carrying the premier in Siem Reap four years ago, according to the Thai court.

The attack left a child dead and three commonalty injured.

Sok Yoeun fl to Thailand and was arrested in Dec 1998 for illegal memorandum and sentenced to six month in jail in Bangkok. His doctrine was completed in June the following year, on the other hand the detention has been defered because Cambodia filed an extradition request

Sok Yoeun's wife and children migrated to Finland last year, his lawyer said.

With cooperation from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugee Finland has also agreed to accept Sok Yoeun 57 as a political exile if Thai authorities release him, Chairat said.

''I believe the appeal court would consider our supporting evidence more...I believe this time we will win,'' he added.

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