The Appeal Court on Wednesday upheld defamation charges against opposition leader Son Chhay and increased the damages he owes to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party and National Election Committee.
A Phnom Penh court has ordered the temporary seizure of two properties belonging to opposition leader Son Chhay in relation to $750,000 in damages he is expected to pay to the ruling party for a defamation conviction.
Son Chhay’s defense lawyer has filed an appeal against a defamation conviction over the Candlelight Party vice president saying that votes were stolen during this year’s commune election.
Prime Minister Hun Sen has asked all Candlelight Party commune councilors to defect and retain their positions in a new party, while also challenging three senior opposition officials to renounce Sam Rainsy.
Candlelight Party leader Son Chhay was found guilty of defamation in two cases brought against him by the National Election Committee and CPP for discussing irregularities in vote counting and candidate registrations during the June commune election.
The National Election Committee maintained on Thursday that comments made by an opposition leader about the results of the June commune election had affected its reputation, as it pressed its case at a defamation hearing at the Phnom Penh court.
The Candlelight Party politician asked for the release on bail of 23 individuals, characterizing their arrests as political cases.
A Phnom Penh court prosecutor has decided to formally charge opposition leader Son Chhay for public defamation in two cases, with his lawyer saying the cases now proceed to trial.
Opposition Candlelight Party vice president Son Chhay returned from Australia to Cambodia on Sunday and will face lawsuits lodged over his claim of vote-stealing, including a $1-million suit brought against him by the ruling CPP.
In brief, Preak Sihanouk provincial governor demands inquiry into recent gun violence. Meanwhile, the NEC is suing Son Chhay for defamation, and the apparel giant Adidas has decried police action against labor leaders in Kampong Chhnang.
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