Phnom Penh Municipal Court judges have ruled that Kem Sokha will not be arrested for allegedly conducting political activity, after prosecutors asked for the opposition leader to be arrested for violating bail conditions by meeting his supporters.
After questions were raised last week about a politicized audio leak, the presiding judge of opposition leader Kem Sokha’s treason trial warned reporters they could be blacklisted if they secretly recorded court proceedings.
Court officials in Phnom Penh say they are now searching for whoever released an audio clip of Kem Sokha announcing his split from Sam Rainsy, as recorded in a courtroom during Sokha’s drawn-out treason trial.
Kem Sokha clearly announced in a Phnom Penh court on Wednesday that he had no connection with CNRP co-founder Sam Rainsy anymore, marking the most clear fissure between the two opposition figures.
On-trial opposition leader Kem Sokha on Wednesday morning questioned his treason trial’s turn to associating him with his CNRP co-founder Sam Rainsy.
Kem Sokha’s legal team continued to demand that the prosecution specify which countries he had conspired with to overthrow the government, adding there was no evidence so far to support charges against the opposition leader.
Standing in the municipal court dock on Wednesday, Kem Sokha said he would never run away from the people no matter what difficulties he faced — an apparent dig at his CNRP co-founder Sam Rainsy, who lives in exile in France.
Prosecutors and government plaintiff lawyers declined to specify a country, organization or individual behind opposition leader Kem Sokha’s alleged “conspiracy with a foreign power” during his trial hearing on Wednesday.
A Muslim youth leader was confirmed as the next CPP Kampong Cham lawmaker, replacing the late Hun Neng. Kem Sokha’s prolonged trial completed its 39th hearing on Wednesday.
The European Union Parliament last Thursday condemned the political persecution faced by Cambodian opposition parties ahead of elections in June and 2023, even suggesting the possibility of a full EBA suspension if the balloting was not free and fair. Former CNRP president Kem Sokha paid his respects to Prime Minister Hun Sen at the funeral of the latter’s brother, Hun Neng.
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