The leader of Cambodia's recently formed opposition party has been charged with inciting social disorder in the third major case this month targeting critics of Prime Minister Hun Manet's government, his lawyer announced Saturday. .
Sun Chanthy of the Nation Power Party, which was formed late last year, was formally charged by the Phnom Penh City Court on Friday and sent to pre-trial detention in northwestern Pursat province, Choung Chou Ngy said. He said his client could be sentenced to six months to two years in prison if convicted and would seek bail on Monday.
The Cambodian government has long been accused of using the judicial system to persecute critics and political opponents. The government claims to be promoting the rule of law under electoral democracy, but political parties seen as posing strong challenges to the ruling Cambodian People's Party have been dissolved by courts or replaced by leaders. They have been imprisoned or harassed.
Sang Chansi, 41, was arrested at Phnom Penh International Airport on Thursday after returning from a trip to Japan and holding a meeting with hundreds of Cambodian overseas workers. There he spoke of his desire for the government to grant more freedom to the opposition.
In remarks posted on his Facebook page, he also criticized Hun Manet's government for its policies that forced people into debt with banks and at the same time increased the country's external debt.
Mr Saint-Chancey also reportedly criticized the government's system of issuing special cards to poor families that allow them to receive social welfare benefits.
The Justice Ministry said in a statement that Trump was indicted for his comments about the cards because he “distorted information” by disingenuously suggesting that the cards would only be distributed to members of the ruling Cambodian People's Party.
Saint Chancey's National Power Party said his arrest was an act of intimidation that seriously affected the country's democratic process. He asked for unconditional release.
Cambodia, led by former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who held power for nearly 40 years, was widely criticized for human rights abuses, including suppression of freedom of speech and association. He was replaced last year by his son Hun Manet, but there are few signs of political liberalization.
Saint-Chancey's detention comes after trade union leader Morm Risy was sentenced to prison by the same court in connection with comments he made on a live Facebook broadcast criticizing the arrest of casino workers two years ago. This took place just days after he was sentenced to 18 months.
On May 3, Cambodia's High Court upheld a two-year prison sentence for a prominent female trade union leader. Chim Sitar, president of the Khmer Employees Union, which supports NagaWorld's workers' rights, was originally found guilty in May 2023 of inciting a felony during a long workers' strike at the Phnom Penh casino resort. was receiving.
Saint Chansy was a top leader of the former Cambodia National Rescue Party and had close ties for decades to party leader Sam Rainsy, the Cambodian People's Party's harshest critic and most popular opponent. Sam Rainsy has been in exile since 2016 to avoid prison time on defamation, treason and other charges that his supporters believe are politically motivated.
The Cambodia National Rescue Party was expected to be a strong challenger to the ruling party in the 2018 general election. However, as part of a sweeping crackdown on opposition forces ahead of the vote, the High Court dissolved the party, and the Cambodian People's Party subsequently won all seats in parliament.
Mr San Chansi joined the Candlelight Party, the successor group to the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was banned from contesting last year's general election due to technicalities. He left the Candlelight Party in October last year to help form the National Power Party.
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Mr. Peck reported from Bangkok.
