Land activist summonsed over Sokha case
THE investigating judge has summonsed land activist Sar Sorn from Borei Keila for questioning in connection with Kem Sokha’s alleged treason case.
Sorn acknowledged on Sunday that she received a summons from judge Ky Rithy last week to appear as a witness at the Municipal Court on Tuesday.
“I was surprised when I saw this summons because I received many summonses in the past due to complaints from Phan Imex Company.
“I am an ordinary citizen and was never linked to politics or any political party. My neighbours were equally surprised,” she claimed.
However, in the same breath, Sorn claimed she had never met Sokha personally but had helped to clean up Freedom Park, where Cambodia National Rescue Party [CNRP] held demonstrations that turned violent after the 2013 elections.
“In the past, I used to join the CNRP election campaign and went to Freedom Park. Recently, I went to Prey Sar prison to welcome the 14 (people) who were released,” she said.
She was referring to the 14 CNRP politicians and activists who were pardoned by the King after he signed a royal decree on August 27.
“At Freedom Park, I went with other Borei Keila residents to clean the rubbish in the morn- ing and afternoon every day. But I never met Kem Sokha even when he was at his headquarters for many months,” she said.
However, Sorn said she was not afraid of the court as she has faced it several times in the past and was ready to appear again.
Kem Sokha, the court-dissolved CNRP leader, was arrested on September 3, last year, and is awaiting trial on treason charges.
He was detained for conspiring with the US to oust the government and is currently held under pre-trial detention.
About a dozen witnesses have been called for questioning – from CNRP supporters to NGO staff and also union leaders.