Cambodian police seek last remnants of Japanese terror organization

PHNOM PENH, Police are on the hunt for Japanese terrorists suspected of seeking refuge in Cambodia after decades on the run, national media reported Monday.

According to documents issued by the Phnom Penh police, 14 ex-members of the leftist Japanese Red Army militia and Yodo-go Group, which is best known for the May 1972 Lod Airport massacre in Tel Aviv, have come under investigation by Cambodian police, the Phnom Penh Post said.

Hy Prou, Phnom Penh deputy police commissioner and chief of the Central Security Office, said that after receiving requests from the Department of Immigration at the Ministry of Interior, police officials at all levels are on the lookout for the fugitives.

"We are not sure if they are in Cambodia or other countries," Hy Prou was quoted as saying.

"They are international criminals, so (the Japanese) need the cooperation of the countries in the region," he added.

Meanwhile, Keo Vanthan, director of Interpol police at the Ministry of Interior, said that he was not aware of any request from the Japanese government asking for help locating the criminals.

"We have previously received one request from Japanese authorities seeking criminals, but not these ones," he said.

"I couldn't say whether those are dead or not, since I have not yet received the documents."