PHNOM PENH: A Chinese national who was deported to Cambodia after serving time in a Singaporean prison on money laundering charges – in the largest case in Singapore’s history – has been expelled from the kingdom.
Zhang Ruijin, who holds a Saint Kitts and Nevis passport, entered Cambodia on June 15, after serving several months in jail for forgery and money laundering convictions. He forfeited around S$118 million in assets to the state.
The Ministry of Interior’s General Department of Immigration (GDI) announced his July 16 departure via social media.
“On July 16, after receiving information about a Chinese national who had been deported from Singapore and entered Cambodia illegally, the General Department of Immigration conducted a search,” it said.
As Cambodia is a member of the international Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Interior Minister Sar Sokha instructed the GDI to locate the individual and implement eviction procedures from the kingdom.
“The department prepared the appropriate paperwork and expelled him from Cambodia on July 16, via the Phnom Penh International Airport,” said the GDI.
The GDI did not specify Zhang’s destination, and could not be reached for comment.
Zhang was one of three individuals connected with the S$3 billion money laundering case who were deported to Cambodia from Singapore.
He arrived in the kingdom alongside Cambodian passport holders Chen Qingyuan and Lin Baoying, who were also convicted on charges relating to the case. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
