Authorities in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh sent three opposition activists to Prey Sar Prison Wednesday for pre-trial detention on charges of “incitement to commit a crime” after taking part in a protest, prompting human rights groups to decry the move as a restriction on freedom of expression.
https://bit.ly/2WZz87a; https://bit.ly/3aXxxH5;
A court in Cambodia began a trial of acting opposition chief Sam Rainsy and 20 other party members charged with organizing a “coup,” inciting soldiers to disobey orders, and “incitement to cause serious social chaos.” The court charged acting opposition leader Sam Rainsy under the country’s Lèse-majesté law after he called King Norodom Sihamoni a “puppet” for helping to cover up shortcomings in Prime Minister Hun Sen’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Sam Rainsy, leader of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was sentenced on December 30 to four years in jail after being found guilty of insulting Interior Minister Sar Kheng over a claim that the Cambodian government killed former national police chief Hok Lungdy in 2008.
https://bit.ly/3hERAf6; https://bit.ly/2KYjV3A; https://bit.ly/38SWWzn;
Dozens of supporters gathered at former opposition leader Kem Sokha’s Phnom Penh house over the weekend as he continues to toe the line around his ban on political activities.
The Ministry of Interior will hold a meeting with leaders of the Alliance of Khmer Democrats (AKD) to gain more insight into the coalition’s objectives and ideologies.
The trial of 15 youth activists and former CNRP officials over protests supporting jailed union leader Rong Chhun was postponed, with the judge agreeing to summons police officials to verify the legitimacy of statements presented in the name of one of the defendants.
