Renowned International Human Rights Lawyer Jared Genser and Former White House Special Counsel Lanny J. Davis Support Yim Leak in His Fight Against Misinformation and Slander

International legal team led by Seiden Law LLP says it will press Thailand over a 20-billion-baht asset freeze and what it calls an orchestrated campaign of falsehoods against the Cambodian businessman

KTN News International | Human Rights

PHNOM PENH, September 24, 2026

Cambodian businessman Yim Leak has gained two powerful allies in his legal battle in Thailand. Jared Genser, one of the world's best-known international human rights lawyers, and Lanny J. Davis, a former Special Counsel to the White House, have joined the legal and advisory team representing Mr. Yim Leak.

The announcement was issued by Seiden Law LLP, which serves as Mr. Yim's lead international legal counsel. It was distributed through major global news wires and outlets, including Business Wire, StreetInsider, Morningstar, City A.M., Yahoo Finance (Spanish and Italian editions), Yahoo Taiwan, Korea Newswire, and Korean NGO News.

According to reports from Business Wire and City A.M., the legal team's immediate priority is to hold the Thai government accountable. The lawyers argue that Thai authorities may have been complicit in, or deliberately blind to, an ongoing smear campaign targeting Mr. Yim.

A Massive Freeze Over a Single Transaction

At the heart of the case is the freezing of more than 20 billion baht (over USD 600 million) in assets. Mr. Yim's legal team says the freeze stems from a single currency exchange transaction worth about USD 150,000. As reported by Yahoo Finance and StreetInsider, the team maintains that Thai media coverage has distorted the facts of the case.

Genser explained his decision to join the effort in a statement carried by Business Wire and Korea Newswire:

“When a routine currency exchange transaction leads to the freezing of assets on such a massive scale; when the primary responsibility for Know Your Customer (KYC) verification rests with the regulated exchange service provider, not the recipient; and when a six-year-old child's savings account is swept into legal proceedings alongside threats of detention—these are fundamental questions of due process and human rights that the international community should be asking. I am joining this effort because those questions demand answers.”

According to City A.M. and Yahoo Taiwan, Genser's involvement brings an international voice to a case already followed closely by global investors, legal observers, and human rights advocates. Many are watching how Thailand applies its anti-money laundering and asset forfeiture laws, and what the outcome may signal for cross-border business in the region.

The Extractor

Genser is Managing Director of Perseus Strategies, an international law firm. For more than two decades, he has provided pro bono legal representation to five Nobel Peace Prize laureates. The New York Times once called him "The Extractor" for his record of securing the release of political prisoners around the world.

A Veteran of Washington

Lanny J. Davis is widely known as a communications counsel for public figures facing character attacks. He served as Special Counsel to President Bill Clinton and later held an appointment under President George W. Bush.

In the joint release carried by Korean NGO News, StreetInsider, and Business Wire, Davis said:

“We are closely examining the Thai government's potential complicity and, indeed, its deliberate willful blindness in allowing Thailand-based entities to continue an orchestrated campaign of slander and falsehoods against Mr. Yim Leak.”

KTN News International will continue to follow developments in this case.