kem sokha trial
Kem Sokha leaves the Phnom Penh Muncipal Court in a vehicle on January 15, 2020 (Panha Chorpoan/VOD)

Kem Sokha Lawyers Ask for Trial to Resume

Lawyers for former CNRP president Kem Sokha have applied to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to resume his trial, more than six months after it was suspended out of concerns for Covid-19.

Opposition leader Kem Sokha leaves the Phnom Pen Muncipal Court on February 27, 2020 (Ouch Sony/VOD)

Appeal Court to Hear Petition From Kem Sokha Lawyers

The Appeal Court will hear arguments next week from Kem Sokha’s lawyers, who are opposing a decision by lower court judges to accept new evidence submitted by the prosecution in the opposition leader’s stalled treason trial.

Kem Sokha speaks to reporters at his house in Phnom Penh on the morning of January 22, 2020. (Chorn Chanren/VOD)

Judge Accepts Additional Evidence in Kem Sokha Trial

Judges on Wednesday accepted additional evidence submitted by prosecutors in the trial of Kem Sokha, against the wishes of defense lawyers who earlier had questioned why new evidence was needed two and half years after the opposition leader was arrested.

Opposition leader Kem Sokha leaves the Phnom Pen Muncipal Court on February 27, 2020 (Ouch Sony/VOD)

Kem Sokha’s Lawyers, Prosecutors Spar Over New Evidence

Lawyers for Kem Sokha and the government on Thursday debated whether new evidence introduced by prosecutors should be permissible, with the defense arguing that if additional evidence was still needed, there was not enough to find Sokha guilty.