Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha has been released from de facto house arrest following a 2017 arrest on widely criticized treason charges, but remains under court supervision, according to a court statement published by government-aligned Fresh News Sunday.
Pheng Heng, one of Sokha’s defense lawyers, told VOD that the president of the outlawed CNRP could leave his home in Phnom Penh under the revised court restrictions.
“He can go anywhere, but can’t go out of the country,” Heng said.
Sokha was still not allowed to leave Cambodia or participate in political activities, and must respond to summons from all authorities, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court said in the statement.
“Seeing the request from the co-defense lawyers of the accused, especially regarding the point related to the health issues of the accused, which need to be checked and treated, and partly because in the previous time when being released on bail the accused properly obeyed the conditions of the court supervision, as well as having good cooperation in court procedures, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court investigating judge decided to change some conditions of the court supervision, dated September 9, 2019,” the statement says.
