Cambodian authorities agree to repatriate Pakistanis without prosecution after diplomatic efforts by Islamabad.
WEBDESK – MediaBites News
ISLAMABAD — Pakistan said Tuesday that Cambodia has agreed to release and repatriate 54 Pakistani nationals detained during a raid on an online scam compound, with the group to be sent home without facing legal action.
The development follows diplomatic efforts by Pakistan’s embassy in Cambodia, which raised the matter with local authorities after the arrests in Siem Reap province. Officials said embassy staff remained in contact with the detainees and were arranging their safe return once travel plans are finalized.
In a statement, Pakistan’s foreign office said the embassy had “actively pursued the matter” with the Cambodian government under instructions to provide full support to Pakistanis abroad.
“As a result of the Embassy’s efforts, the host authorities have agreed to the early repatriation of 54 Pakistani nationals detained in Siem Reap Province,” the statement said.
The arrests were made during a raid on a compound allegedly linked to online fraud operations, part of Cambodia’s wider crackdown on scam centers. These facilities have been accused of recruiting foreign nationals, and in some cases, trafficking them, to run internet scams targeting victims worldwide.
Pakistani officials said Cambodian authorities would repatriate the detainees without prosecution under the country’s new anti-cybercrime law, which came into force earlier this month and carries severe prison terms and heavy fines.
Cambodia has intensified action against online fraud networks this year, raiding multiple compounds where thousands of foreign workers were reportedly found operating under strict control.
Human rights groups say many workers are lured through fake job offers and later forced into scam operations, while others may have knowingly participated.
Pakistani media reports have suggested more than 200 Pakistani nationals may have been held in Cambodia in related cases, raising concerns over migrant workers being drawn into the region’s growing cyber fraud industry.
