sam rainsy

Supporters of the banned opposition CNRP sit across the street from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on January 14, 2020. (Chorn Chanren/VOD)

CNRP Mass Trials Set to Resume This Week

Two CNRP mass trials involving dozens of defendants are set to be heard at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court this week after being delayed by the “February 20” Covid-19 outbreak earlier this year.

Ouch Sony Dec 6, 5:16 pm

CNRP co-founder Kem Sokha, center, and GDP co-founder Yang Saing Koma, right, during a visit to a farm in Pursat province in November 2020, in this photograph posted to Saing Koma's Twitter page.

CNRP Rift Points Toward Sokha’s Return to Politics: Analysts

Kem Sokha’s comments stirred a flurry of speculation and commentary online, with armchair political analysts in and outside the country trying to make sense of what this meant for the CNRP — once the most credible political threat to the CPP’s stranglehold on power.

Nhim Sokhorn Dec 1, 4:08 pm

CNRP co-founders Kem Sokha and Sam Rainsy (VOD)

CNRP Rift Out in the Open as Kem Sokha Distances Himself from Rainsy

“Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha are not the same person,” Sokha’s Facebook post said, asking that Rainsy and his colleagues stop using him to push their campaigns.

Ananth Baliga Nov 29, 4:16 pm

The former headquarters of dissolved opposition CNRP in Phnom Penh's Meanchey district on November 15, 2021. (Mech Dara/VOD)

Updated: Court to Put CNRP Headquarters on Sale

UPDATED: Citing around $2 million in unpaid penalties, the courts announced that the outlawed CNRP’s former headquarters would be placed on sale. “The CNRP HQ is the symbol of democracy for the majority of the people of Cambodia,” Mu Sochua responded.

Mech Dara Nov 15, 5:52 pm

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng at a podium during a meeting, in a photo posted to his Facebook page on August 9, 2021.

Outlawed Opposition Wishful of Meeting in France With Interior Minister

As Interior Minister Sar Kheng embarks on a “private” trip to France, Cambodia’s outlawed opposition is raising hopes of a meeting with the minister whom it routinely raises as a supposedly democracy-friendly foil to Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Morm Moniroth Aug 23, 9:01 pm

Political ‘Student Movement’ Bemoans Abusive Political Discourse

Touch Vibol, executive director of the Student Movement for Democracy (SMD), said in a statement this week that critics had been twisting the group’s words using abusive language, curses and insults.

Nhim Sokhorn Jul 21, 5:20 pm

A tent set up for vaccinations and registration at the Information Ministry in Phnom Penh on April 12, 2021. (Danielle Keeton-Olsen/VOD)

Rainsy Urges People to Get Chinese Vaccines, Hun Sen Questions Intentions

Exiled opposition politician Sam Rainsy urged Cambodians to receive the currently available Chinese vaccines to protect themselves from Covid-19, though Prime Minister Hun Sen doubted Rainsy’s sincerity amid a global vaccine shortage.

Nhim Sokhorn Apr 12, 7:45 pm

Supporters of the outlawed opposition CNRP hold up Cambodian flags near the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on November 26, 2020. (Chorn Chanren/VOD)

Sam Rainsy’s Facebook Newsreader Returns From Exile, Joins CPP

Three former opposition CNRP youth members have defected to the ruling party, including a woman who previously presented the nightly news on party co-founder Sam Rainsy’s Facebook page and, according to Rainsy, had received refugee status after fleeing to Thailand to escape incitement and plotting charges.

Nhim Sokhorn Apr 2, 2:59 pm

Embassies Express Concerns Over 25-Year Sentence Against Rainsy

Representatives of the U.S., E.U., U.K. and Australia this week raised concerns over the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentencing nine CNRP opposition leaders to 20 to 25 years in prison for a planned “attack” on the state.

Nhim Sokhorn Mar 3, 6:32 pm

CNRP leaders Sam Rainsy and Ho Vann (third and second from the right) raise nine fingers along with other CNRP supporters in the U.S. on September 23, 2019 (CNRP activist’s Facebook page)

Updated: CNRP Leaders Lose Right to Stand for Office, Get 20-25 Year Sentences

Updated at 4:42 p.m. — The Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced opposition leaders living abroad to 20 to 25 years in prison and stripped them of their right to stand in elections with only a Bar Association-assigned lawyer’s secretary present for the defense, according to a lawyer and court spokesperson.

Seng Thai Mar 2, 2:08 pm