Cambodia opp leader implicated in 2nd legal case
The opposition leader is now implicated in a second case which follows warrant issued for arrest of Sam Rainsy for defaming foreign minister
World Bulletin / News Desk
Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy has become embroiled in a second legal issue after a summons was issued for him to appear for questioning in relation to a case against a senator from his former party.
In August, Sam Rainsy Party senator Hong Sok Hour was arrested on the orders of Prime Minister Hun Sen after posting a video clip on Rainsy’s official Facebook page. That video allegedly contained a clip depicting a fake 1979 border treaty between Cambodia and Vietnam.
Hun Sen said the video’s contents were treasonous, and Sok Hour was charged with forgery and incitement. Now, Rainsy is also being implicated in the case because the video was posted on his page.
The Phnom Penh Post reported on Saturday that Rainsy -- who is currently in the Philippines -- stands accused of “faking public documents, using fake public documents and incitement of serious turmoil to social security”, according to the summons issued on Friday.
The summons says Rainsy is due to appear for questioning on Dec. 4. Sok Hour has denied any wrongdoing, and has been denied bail ahead of the trial.
An arrest warrant was issued against Rainsy a week ago, and stems from a separate, 2011 conviction and two-year prison sentence for the defamation of the country’s foreign minister, Hor Namhong, who Rainsy claimed was involved in the running of a notorious Khmer Rouge prison camp.
Namhong has always strenuously denied such accusations and has won a number of lawsuits taken out against journalists, Rainsy and even the late king, Norodom Sihanouk.
Rainsy was abroad when this warrant was issued, and has decided to delay his return to Cambodia until some kind of deal can be hammered out.
Those chances have likely been affected this week, however, after Rainsy reiterated the remarks about Namhong.
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