Sovantha files suit against Rainsy
SOCIAL media celebrity Thy Sovantha yesterday filed a d e f a mat i o n c o mpl a i n t against exiled Cambodia National Rescue Party president Sam Rainsy for alleging she took a $1 million bribe from Prime Minister Hun Sen to fund her activities.
The accusations, aired by Rainsy at a forum in Paris on January 14 that was broadcast online, stem from online chats purportedly between the premier and Sovantha, which were leaked to the latter’s Facebook in November.
Responding directly to the claims for the first time, the 21-year-old yesterday said her account on the social media site had been hacked and the messages fabricated.
“My Facebook page was stolen on November 24,” she said by phone.
“Straight away I filed a complaint with the Ministry of Interior. All of the leaked messages were created by a hacker . . . There is nobody providing me money.”
In her complaint, released in local media, Sovantha accuses Rainsy of breaching Article 305 of the Cambodian Criminal Code and demands $250,000 in compensation.
The former opposition activist turned ruling party favourite – who led a monthslong campaign attacking CNRP deputy president Kem Sokha over an alleged affair – said Rainsy’s comments were false and had damaged her reputation.
“His remark had an impact on me. He used words that attacked me, saying that samdech prime minister had bribed me with $1 million to CONTINUED
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