Cambodian Supreme Court upholds incitement conviction of opposition politician
Summary
Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld the conviction of opposition politician Rong Chhun for incitement but suspended the rest of his prison sentence. As a result, he will not go to jail but is banned from political activities for five years and from traveling abroad for three years.Key Facts
- Rong Chhun is a senior adviser to the opposition Nation Power Party in Cambodia.
- He was convicted last year of inciting social unrest after meeting displaced villagers.
- The court’s ruling suspends his prison sentence but bars him from voting, running for office, or practicing politics for five years.
- Rong Chhun and his supporters say the verdict is unfair and politically motivated.
- Human Rights Watch criticized the ruling as evidence of Cambodia’s courts lacking independence.
- Cambodia’s Minister of Information said the government respects court independence and laws.
- Cambodia’s new Prime Minister Hun Manet succeeded his father Hun Sen in 2023 but shows little political reform so far.
- Rong Chhun may seek a royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni after reviewing the verdict.
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