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Rights activist Por Cha Lee Rakcharoen still missing after release

Karen activist known as Billy not seen since police let him go last week

Human Rights Watch urged Thai authorities on Monday to investigate the disappearance of prominent environmental activist Por Cha Lee Rakcharoen.

The ethnic Karen activist generally known as Billy was detained in Petchaburi province's Kaengkrachan National Park on Thursday and has not been seen since shortly after his release.

He was en route to meet Karen villagers to prepare for a lawsuit accusing park officials of burning and destroying the homes of more than 20 families.

"So long as Billy's whereabouts are unknown, a sense of fear will stalk the park communities demanding their rights," said HRW Asia director Brad Adams.

Park chief Chaiwat Limlikitaksorn insisted the activist had been released.

But HRW said that the park chief was himself under investigation for allegedly masterminding the killing of an activist from Billy's network.

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