Cambodia’s top court rejects appeal to free opposition leader
PHNOM PENH: A top Cambodian court rejected an appeal to free opposition leader Kem Sokha yesterday saying his release could be a public risk as the threat of dissolution looms over his opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
Kem Sokha was arrested in September on charges of treason in what his supporters say is a politically-motivated case. It comes amid a crackdown on critics of authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who could face the biggest electoral challenge of his political career in a general election next year.
Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party has intensified a crackdown against political opponents, independent media and human rights groups in recent months, forcing the closure of several news outlets.
Lawyers for CNRP leader Kem Sokha, had asked the Supreme Court to rule that his detention was illegal and said that he should be granted parliamentary immunity from prosecution.
“The detention of Kem Sokha is to prevent new crimes and so that the court can guarantee public order,” Judge Khim Ponn said after nearly two hours of deliberations.
“The accused will continue to be detained.”
The Supreme Court is due to rule on Nov 16 whether to dissolve the CNRP after the government last month fi led a lawsuit asking to dissolve the CNRP on grounds it was involved in a plot to topple the government. — Reuters