Judges in a CNRP mass trial said testimonies showed that one of the defendants had a mental illness after neighbors and local officials, but not medical professionals, attested to the alleged condition.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court is hearing a fifth mass trial against 37 defendants for their alleged participation in former CNRP vice president Mu Sochua’s attempt to return to Cambodia in early 2021. The defendants, who are senior party leaders, members and activists, are facing plotting charges.
Thursday was the third hearing in the trial and kicked off with judge Ouk Reth Kunthea asking the clerk to check why Heng Sokleng, who has also been called Seng Sokleng during the trial, had been placed under court supervision by the investigating judge.
After a brief recess, the hearing resumed with court officials reading from five documents: one from a 13 Makara village chief in Battambang, one with 42 witnesses who were residents, two letters from a commune chief to the Ministry of Health and Phnom Penh court suggesting that Sokleng had a mental illness, and an investigating judge’s decision.
The same issue was raised during a prior hearing when former CNRP commune chief Khan Bunpheng was questioned about Sokleng and when the prosecution read out a phone transcript that only had Sokleng’s words. At the time, Bunpheng claimed that village residents knew that Sokleng had a mental illness.
At Thursday’s hearing, Bunpheng added that he did not want to speak to Sokleng and whenever Sokleng called the former commune chief would absent-mindedly say yes a few times while doing other work.
Bunpheng added that he knew of Sochua’s planned return to Cambodia but that he had nothing to do with it.
“I did not pay attention whether she will come or will not come … since the CNRP was dissolved on November 16, 2017, I became an ordinary person and I have a little business for livelihood,” he said.
Judge Reth Kunthea asked if Bunpheng had worked to gather supporters and activists for Sochua’s return, with the former commune chief saying, “I would like to make it clear that I have never invited even a single person to receive Mu Sochua.”
Questioning then turned to Voeung Samnang, a former CNRP activist who was deported from Thailand last year, who was quizzed about his social media accounts.
Samnang said he had only one account, where his name was spelled in English, but a Facebook post, which is part of the prosecution’s evidence, was from a different account. The evidence was from an account named “Voeung Samnang Rescue Phnom Penh.”
Prosecutor Seng Heang also asked Samnang if he knew Mu Sochua.
“I know Mu Sochua as I know Samdech Hun Sen too,” he said, using an honorific for the prime minister.
The trial is scheduled to resume on October 13.
Defendants:
 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 |
