Connect with us

World News

Cambodian Court Orders Seizure of Former Opposition Head Quarters

Avatar of CTN News

Published

on

800 5

Supporters rally outside the headquarters of the Cambodian National Rescue Party in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. – Photo Heng Sinith

PHNOM PENH – A Cambodian court has ordered the seizure of the headquarters of the country’s former opposition party, which was dissolved last November after a ruling that it was involved in trying to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

A lawyer for Hun Sen said Tuesday that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court ruled that the headquarters of the Cambodian National Rescue Party be seized because the party’s former leader, Sam Rainsy, failed to pay a $1 million judgment against him for defaming Hun Sen as well as compensation to another ruling party leader. Sam Rainsy is the owner of the property.

The case is generally seen as part of an intense push by Hun Sen’s government and his Cambodian People’s Party to neutralize political opponents and silence critics ahead of a general election in July. The court system is considered politicized and normally rules in the government’s favor.

Sam Rainsy, who has been in self-imposed exile since late 2015 to avoid being jailed in a separate defamation case, was convicted in December in connection with a Facebook post in which he accused Hun Sen of offering $1 million to a political operative to attack the opposition.

Ky Tech, a defense lawyer for Hun Sen and National Assembly President Heng Samrin, said the property would be returned to Sam Rainsy if he pays the compensation ordered by the courts: $1 million to Hun Sen and $62,500 to Heng Samrin. Sam Rainsy, against whom several other criminal cases are either pending or underway, also has been ordered to pay a $2,500 fine to the government.

Continue Reading

CTN News App

CTN News App

Recent News

BUY FC 24 COINS

compras monedas fc 24

Volunteering at Soi Dog

Find a Job

Jooble jobs

Free ibomma Movies