CNRP official called up by court yet again

APHNOM Penh official with the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has been summonsed by prosecutors for a second time to appear for questioning over a violent incident at a CNRP rally in May.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Deputy Prosecutor Sieng Sok issued the summons on Monday for Morn Phalla, the CNRP’s executive director for Phnom Penh. Phalla did not respond to requests for comment yesterday but did share a Facebook post from the Phnom Penh CNRP page stating that he would not appear for questioning.

In the post, the Phnom Penh CNRP decried the focus on Phalla as “political, because in Phnom Penh, His Excellency Morn Phalla managed to be successful in the commune elections, winning 57 council seats from the CPP”.

Video of the May 28 incident showed CNRP supporters punching and kicking a motorist, who later reported the incident to police. Others, however, said the driver had set off the incident by driving his motorbike into the parade on purpose.

The summons, citing charges of “intentional violence”, orders Phalla to appear at the Meanchey district police station for questioning.

Legal expert Sok Sam Oeun said that the court has the right to issue an arrest warrant for Phalla if he refuses to show up for a second time.

Ly Sophana, Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman, declined to comment.