The Cambodian government confirmed on the 7th that Prince Group founder and chairman Chen Zhi has been deported back to China and his Cambodian citizenship has been revoked. Analysts point out that the US was the first to prosecute Chen Zhi, and against the backdrop of a lack of an extradition treaty between the US and China, this arrangement is almost equivalent to closing the door on Chen Zhi being tried in the US; it is extremely unlikely for the US to extradite Chen Zhi for trial in America.
The US Department of Justice indicted Chen Zhi last October, accusing him of running scam parks in Cambodia, suspected of money laundering and telecom fraud, with victims around the world and illegal gains reaching billions of US dollars. If convicted in the US, Chen Zhi could face up to 40 years in prison.
After Chen Zhi was indicted by the US, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Taiwan announced the seizure or freezing of hundreds of millions of dollars in assets related to Chen Zhi. The Prince Group, however, denies all accusations.
The public is concerned about why Chen Zhi was not extradited to the US or Taiwan, both of which have filed charges against him.
Experts point out that Chen Zhi being deported back to China effectively cuts off the US route to bring him to trial in America.
Transnational crime expert and Harvard University visiting scholar Saimes analyzes that the arrest this time shows that international pressure forced Cambodia to no longer turn a blind eye to the controversies surrounding the Prince Group.
He said that Cambodia’s action both eases Western pressure and aligns with Beijing’s desire not to let US or UK courts touch this politically sensitive case. "What is certain is that due to Chen Zhi’s business empire and its politically sensitive connections in the region—especially rumors of his links with several Chinese government officials—Beijing is strongly motivated to handle the case quietly and resolve it domestically."