Mu Sochua Released From Detention in Malaysia

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CNRP vice-president Mu Sochua (VOD file photo)
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UPDATED 8:02 p.m. — CNRP vice-president Mu Sochua confirmed on Thursday evening that she has been released from detention at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Sochua spoke briefly to VOD to say that she was no longer being held by Malaysian immigration authorities following her arrival from Jakarta on Wednesday night. She said she was currently too busy and could not elaborate on the release or where she was headed.

Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Phil Robertson said Sochua had been released from immigration detention and permitted to enter Malaysia.

Earlier on Thursday, Robertson said Sochua had meetings planned in Kuala Lumpur with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Malaysian government officials as well as civil society activists,

Her release came as the party’s acting president, Sam Rainsy, failed to board a plane from Paris to Bangkok.

Rainsy and the dissolved opposition party’s other senior leaders have pledged to attempt to return to the country on Saturday, November 9 to restore political competitiveness to Cambodia.

The Supreme Court dissolved the party in November 2017, two months after its president, Kem Sokha, was arrested for allegedly working with the U.S. to overthrow the government. Sokha, who remains under de facto house arrest in Phnom Penh, denies the charges.

In a national election eight months later, the ruling CPP swept all 125 seats in the National Assembly.

Updated at 7:14 p.m. with RFA report that Sochua was allowed into Malaysia.

Updated at 8:02 p.m. with Phil Robertson comment that Sochua was allowed into Malaysia.

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