Cambodian court upholds sentence for Sam Rainsy
VNA -
(VOVWORLD) - The Appeal Court of Cambodia has upheld the ruling of a lower court to sentence, in absentia, Sam Rainsy, former President of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), to 20 months in prison for defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen.
 Sam Rainsy in a press interview in Phnom Penh (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
Appeal Court's Presiding Judge Nhoung Thul said in his verdict that: "The Phnom Penh Municipal Court's decision against Sam Rainsy is correct, so the Appeal Court decides to uphold the decision". Last March, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Sam Rainsy to one year and eight months in prison and financial penalty for his involvement in accusing PM Hun Sen and the Cambodian Government of standing behind the murder of political analyst Kem Ley. Rainsy was charged with defamation and incitement to cause social chaos according to the Penal Code.
Sam Rainsy has been living in exile since November 2015 to avoid a two-year imprisonment for defaming Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong. He had also been given other sentences in Cambodia. On February 11, 2017, he declared to resign from the post of President and left the CNRP to prevent this party from being dissolved under the new Law on Political Parties, approved on February 20.
VNA