Cambodian opposition leader loses treason appeal
A court in Cambodia has upheld the treason conviction and 27-year prison sentence of opposition leader Kem Sokha, whose arrest in 2017 sparked a broad government crackdown on political opponents in the country.
The Phnom Penh Court of Appeals on Thursday also banned Kem Sokha from leaving the country for five years after completing his sentence under house arrest.
The Cambodian government has long been accused of using the judicial system to persecute critics and political opponents.
The government insists it supports the rule of law under electoral democracy, but political parties seen as potential rivals have been shut down by the courts or their leaders jailed or harassed.
Kem Sokha, now 72, was convicted in 2023 after lengthy pre-trial detention.
He was accused of conspiring with the United States to overthrow the Cambodian government.
The main evidence against him was a video of him discussing political advice from US-based pro-democracy groups.
The Cambodia National Rescue Party was the only credible rival to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, but it was dissolved by the Supreme Court after his arrest and was unable to participate in the 2018 elections.
Long-serving prime minister Hun Sen’s party then swept all seats in the National Assembly.
His son Hun Manet succeeded him in 2023 but did not liberalize the system.
Speaking before the appeals court in early April, Kem Sokha declared that he had not conspired with any foreign country at the expense of the lives of Cambodian citizens or the loss of national territory and had acted in the spirit of non-violence and national unity.
Kem Sokha’s lawyer, Pheng Heng, told reporters that he regretted the court’s decision and that he and his client had to decide whether to appeal to the Supreme Court.
He called on the government to promote national reconciliation.
Western embassies in Cambodia expressed concern about the decision.
“We want to see Kem Sokha released and his political freedoms restored,” the British embassy said in a statement. he said.
“We believe this will help strengthen democracy in Cambodia.”
