Cambodian court rejects bail for opposition leader again

PHNOM PENH: An appeals court in Cambodia denied a second request for the release on bail of opposition leader Kem Sokha, who has been charged with treason.

The court appearance in Phnom Penh by Kem Sokha, head of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was his first since his arrest last September.

The hearing yesterday was held behind closed doors and journalists and other onlookers were kept away.

His prosecution by the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen is widely seen as part of a concerted effort to cripple the opposition ahead of a general election this year.

Kem Sokha’s lawyer Choung Choungy said the court cited concerns for his client’s security in denying bail.

The government has expressed fears of political protests by Kem Sokha’s supporters. They have suggested, with no evidence, that violence might result.

Hundreds of riot police were deployed around the court, with several fire trucks and police trucks parked nearby.

The past several years have seen the opposition party face an onslaught of legal challenges from Hun Sen’s government with the support of the courts, which are generally seen as favouring his ruling Cambodian People’s Party.

The attacks on the opposition culminated in November, when the Supreme Court ordered the Cambodia National Rescue Party to be dissolved on the grounds that it was plotting to overthrow the government.

Kem Sokha was charged with treason for allegedly conspiring with the United States to topple the government, and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.

He was arrested on the basis of videos from several years ago showing him at a seminar where he spoke about receiving advice from US pro-democracy groups.

The opposition party has denied the treason allegation, saying the charge is strictly politically motivated.