The opposition Candlelight Party’s deputy head in Takeo province has been arrested for plotting in relation to an exiled opposition leader’s attempt to return to Cambodia, a charge a defense lawyer described as politically motivated.
Ir Channa was formerly an activist for the outlawed opposition CNRP, and was recently working as the Candlelight Party’s provincial deputy for Takeo, according to his defense lawyer Sam Sokong. But he was arrested when he went to Phnom Penh’s Aeon 2 mall on Monday in relation to the processing of a Cambodian passport, a Candlelight official said.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has since charged him with plotting based on alleged crimes committed in 2020 and placed him in pretrial detention at Prey Sar Prison, according to a court order seen by reporters.
Sokong said Channa’s arrest was related to CNRP vice president Mu Sochua’s failed attempt to return to the country more than a year ago. Sochua had pledged to come back to Cambodia in January 2021, and more than 20 supporters were arrested in the lead-up.
Sochua flew from Los Angeles to Singapore in January 2021, but could not board her next leg because the Cambodian government had revoked her passport and denied her a visa.
“According to my client, he did nothing against the law,” defense lawyer Sokong said. “I have made the conclusion that this is politically motivated rather than legal because my client is a Candlelight Party activist and he is participating in election campaigns for candidates in Takeo.”
Sokong said he would file for bail so Channa could participate in the June 5 election.
Candlelight Party vice president Thach Setha said the opposition party was under threat.
“We have seen that the flow of democracy is getting smaller and smaller and the threats keep increasing. Even though there has been an appeal from the government to have no violence, we have seen serious signs of threats through the judicial system,” Setha said.
Justice Ministry spokesman Chin Malin denied that the arrest was politically motivated, and urged Channa’s defense to find arguments against the alleged crime.
“The lawyer should try to find strong legal reasons to exculpate [him] rather than link [the case] to political motives,” Malin said.
