Cambodia opposition leader charged with treason
Financial Times | 5 September 2017
Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha was charged with treason in a court on Tuesday, two days after he was arrested as part of a widening crackdown on dissent in the Southeast Asian nation.
Kem Sokha, who heads the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was charged with “colluding with foreigners” under Article 433 of Cambodia’s penal code, and could face a jail term of 15 to 30 years if convicted, Reuters reported, citing a statement from a municipal court in Phnom Penh.
Cambodian authorities arrested the opposition leader on Sunday, accusing him of colluding with the United States to bring down Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled the country since 1985.
Cambodia is due to hold a national election in 2018, and ahead of the vote its ruling party has been increasing pressure on opposition politicians, media, and civil society groups. The Cambodia Daily, a leading independent newspaper, published its final edition on Monday after facing accusations by the authorities of failing to pay $8m worth of taxes.
Cambodian authorities last month ordered several radio stations shut down and expelled the National Democratic Institute, a Washington-based pro-democracy group. Hun Sen has taken a strongly anti-US line in the run-up to the election, accusing Washington of supporting his opponents and interfering in Cambodia’s affairs.
USA can save Kem Sokha by categorically deny any involvement with him as well as denounce him to be a liar.
ReplyDeleteThink about it, it's normal for a Khmer to lie and make up false claim to self-important then solicit for donation. That's what's going on in CNRP, both Kem Sokha and Scam Rainsy were racing each other with exaggeration and outright lies to out do each other.
Scam Rainsy said, "Only I can save Cambodia [and Kem Sokha cannot]". LOL...