Cambodian businessman Yim Leak has filed an application in a US federal court seeking evidence he says could help challenge allegations linking him to scam-centre activities and support legal proceedings related to cases against him, his Thai wife and their young child in Thailand.
The move follows legal action pursued by Thai authorities last year in connection with investigations into transnational cybercrime networks. Mr Yim has consistently denied any wrongdoing. His name also appeared in an early draft of a US congressional bill addressing scam-centre operations in Southeast Asia, but was later removed.
According to a statement released by Seiden Law LLP, Mr Yim's US legal counsel, the application was filed in the federal district court in Washington under 28 USC Section 1782 (Civil Docket Case 1:26-mc-00095-ACR), which allows parties involved in foreign legal proceedings to seek evidence located in the United States.
In the statement, Mr Yim said he had been subjected to what he described as "guilt by association" and "political persecution".
The law firm said the application seeks documents and sworn testimony that could help identify information it claims contributed to Mr Yim's prosecution in Thailand and his inclusion in an early version of the congressional legislation.
"The application will enable the securing of documents and testimony that may clarify why Mr Yim was included in, and subsequently removed from, the initial draft of US House Bill H.R. 5490," the statement said.
Robert Seiden, managing partner of Seiden Law, said his client has never been convicted of a crime in any country and denies allegations linking him to scam-centre operations.
"He is the son of one of the founders of Cambodia's modern democracy, lived in America for more than a decade, served honourably in Cambodia's military, runs his family's real estate business, and provides funding for medical care, creation of thousands of legitimate jobs across Southeast Asia, and giving to charitable causes, including the Cambodian Red Cross," Mr Seiden said.
The statement said Mr Yim intends to use any evidence obtained through the US court process in legal proceedings outside the United States. Mr Yim's representatives maintain that the allegations against him are unfounded.
