Kem Sokha argued in court on Thursday that his political and NGO activities adhered to democratic and human rights principles, and therefore would not be a crime under the charge of conspiring with a foreign power, according to his lawyers.
What lies ahead for Cambodian politics this year is a prolonging of the political quagmire that has dragged down the country for at least two years, according to analysts. Things could eventually improve, but there is no quick fix, they say.
After more than five months in prison, a disabled supporter of the former opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) from Siem Reap province was released on Monday afternoon.
The Appeal Court ordered the release of a disabled opposition supporter who was imprisoned for more than five months for insulting Prime Minister Hun Sen on Facebook.
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday repeated a warning that Cambodia’s political opposition will be extinguished if the E.U. suspends duty-free trade, because the bloc will no longer have enough sway in the country to protect the party.
The treason case against opposition leader Kem Sokha is headed to trial, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court announced on Monday, a decision his lawyer said was regrettable.
Several commentators were incredulous that Prime Minister Hun Sen would go so far as to restore the outlawed CNRP to appease the EU, Cambodia’s biggest export partner.
At least three CNRP supporters charged in relation to opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s return-to-Cambodia campaign were freed on bail on Thursday, their lawyer said.
CNRP supporters in Thailand said since Friday that they were remaining at the ready to march across the border into Cambodia if and when party leaders give the go-ahead.
A day after having his court restrictions relaxed, opposition leader Kem Sokha on Monday met with the French and U.S. ambassadors at his home, though he refrained from speaking to journalists because he was unclear whether it would violate his ban on participating in politics.
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