KL timber firm faces trial

KL timber firm faces trial

PHNOM PENH (Reuters): Cambodia has filed its first charges against a private company for illegal logging, Cambodian Forestry Director Ty Sokun said on Saturday.

The government has accused GAT International Co Ltd of Malaysia of illegally cutting logs worth nearly $105,000 within its own and another company's concession areas in the Cardomom Mountains in southwest Cambodia, Ty Sokun told Reuters.

"We have suspended all of GAT's logging activities in the Cardomoms and will pass the case to the courts," Ty Sokun said.

"The court will decide on what the specific criminal charges will be and if, or when, the logging suspension will be lifted."

GAT officials could not be reached for immediate comment. The move follows an investigation by environmental watchdog Global Witness and Cambodian officials.

The government said GAT had cut trees from its own concession area and that of Samling International, also of Malaysia.