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Cambodian police to arrest three people for 'photoshopping King Sihamoni into gay porn scene'

One of the three suspects is believed to be in Thailand 

Tuesday 03 January 2017 00:34 GMT
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Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni and his mother former queen Monique
Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni and his mother former queen Monique (TEP SONY/AFP/Getty Images)

Cambodian police said they planned to arrest three suspects for photoshopping an image of the country’s king into a gay porn scene.

The image, which appeared on social media, is a rare insult to King Norodom Sihamoni, who is widely respected in the region.

Of the three suspects, two are in Cambodia and one is believed to be in Thailand. Criticism of the monarchy in Thailand can lead to decades in prison but this does not cover foreign rulers.

“We have got orders to arrest them. If we don't take action against them, more people might follow their act,” a spokesman for the Cambodian Interior Ministry said, the Daily Mail reported.

“The king represents the whole nation and they are insulting the king, which is like they are insulting the whole nation.”

King Sihamoni is unmarried and has no children. He became king in 2004 when his father abdicated.

The 63-year-old has fulfilled his symbolic role as head of state and steered clear from politics.

He is fluent in several languages and established a ballet company before taking the throne.

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