A Cambodian court has sentenced exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy to 10 years in prison on charges of plotting to overthrow Hun Sen.
Sam Rainsy has lived in France since 2015 to avoid jail time for several offenses he said were politically motivated charges. including a 25-year prison sentence, sentenced in March. last year
“The justice system has once again been used as a political tool in an attempt to crack down on resistance to Hun Sen’s dictatorship,” Rainsy commented on Twitter.
In addition to Sam Rainsy, the court also sentenced six opposition party members to 10 years in prison, 13 activists and five years in prison and another activist.
outside the court An argument broke out as security personnel tried to seize a protest sign from the defendant’s wife and supporters. causing some to fall to the ground
“After the announcement of the verdict Jailed client shouts of injustice They are not satisfied with the verdict,” the lawyer told AFP. and that they will appeal
“This is not fair at all. I think he will be released today. The international community please help my husband,” the wife of one of the defendants said.
The allegations relate to Sam Rainsy’s plans to return to Cambodia in 2019, where he has called on people in the country to rise up against Hun Sen.
About 150 opposition party members and supporters have been charged with treason and sedition. This was largely a result of forwarding messages on social media supporting Sam Rainsy’s return home.
Hun Sen is one of the longest-ruling leaders in the world. He has remained in power for more than 30 years, although critics and rights groups say he crushed dissidents by imprisoning opponents and activists.
Since the last general election in 2018, Hun Sen’s political party has won every seat in the election without a credible opposition. Cambodian authorities have increased the arrest of a former opposition party member. human rights defender and those who voice their opinions
Human Rights Watch issued a statement condemning the court decision. and called on the international community to take a stand
“The trial and conviction of political opponents on unfounded charges is a witch hunt that has discredited both the Cambodian government and the country’s courts,” said Phil Robertson of Human Rights Watch. stated in the statement.
