The Phnom Penh Municipal Court will this week try 37 CNRP leaders, former lawmakers, party activists and supporters for alleged plotting against the state, marking the fifth mass trial the court has initiated against members of the dissolved political opposition.
The first four mass trials — one of which involves more than 60 defendants and has yet to be tried — is largely linked to CNRP leader Sam Rainsy’s failed attempt to return to Cambodia in November 2019. Senior leaders are overseas in exile and have been given decades in prison for convictions in these cases, with some lower-level activists and supporters already in prison facing multiple sentences.
The fifth trial, which was first made public in late August, is related to former CNRP vice president Mu Sochua’s attempt to return to Cambodia to attend one of the mass trials in early 2021. The exiled leader is one of dozens of people who have had their Cambodian passports canceled by the government, with the embassy in the U.S. denying her request for a visa on her American passport. Sochua, like Rainsy, is a dual citizen.
The trial also involves CNRP activists and supporters living overseas, such as Japan, South Korea and France. Three of the accused — Khan Bunpheng, Voeun Veasna and Kong Mas — are already imprisoned or being detained by the court.
Earlier reports indicated that jailed CNRP members like Ir Channa and Voeung Samnang were facing the same charges, but court documents did not list their names for trial this week.
The latest trial indicates the government is unrelenting in its pursuit to prosecute former CNRP members whose actions, both in the country or overseas, courts have ruled as a plot or attack against the nation or the catch-all charge of incitement. This is despite international pressure to drop charges against former CNRP president Kem Sokha, who is still facing a treason charge, and diplomatic calls to stop the targeting of the political opposition.
 Sam Rainsy Former/acting president |  Mu Sochua Vice president |  Eng Chhai Eang Vice president |  Tioulong Saumura Former lawmaker |  Ho Vann Former lawmaker |
 Ou Chanrith Former lawmaker |  Men Sothavarin Former lawmaker |  Long Ry Former lawmaker |  Mao Vibol Svay Rieng president |  Sot Silat CNRP supporter in South Korea |
 Khin Samorn CNRP supporter in Canada |  Chhun Vean Former CNRP councilor in Siem Reap |  Chham Sophorn CNRP activist from Poipet |  Khin Chamroeun Former CNRP youth leader for Phnom Penh |  Khlaing Bun Lay Former CNRP councilor Banteay Meanchey |
 Nuth Rumduol Former lawmaker |  Tor Nimol CNRP activist |  Hay Vanna CNRP activist in Japan |  Phorn Phana CNRP supporter in South Korea |  Vann Narith Former lawmaker |
 Sor Chandeth Former SRP senator |  Seng Meng Bunrong CNRP youth activist |  Matt Vanny CNRP supporter in South Korea |  Sum Seyha Youth activist in Kampong Cham |  Chhun Sithy Former CNRP councilor in Pailin |
 Prak Sarom CNRP Supporter in New Zealand |  Ngim Nheng Former lawmaker |  Voeung Samnang Former activist |  Long Botta Former lawmaker |  Leng Sotheary CNRP supporter in Canada |
 Khan Bunpheng Former commune chief in Battambang |  Heng Danaro Former lawmaker |  Kong Mas CNRP youth activist |  Ath Vichet CNRP activist in Canada |  Buth Sokunthea Thierry CNRP supporter in France |
| Heng Sokleng | Oun Pov |
Correction: An earlier version of this article listed Voeun Veasna as one of the 37 defendants in the trial. However, the CNRP activist in this case is Voeung Samnang.
