bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Reuters

A Cambodian court rejected an appeal to release opposition leader Kem Sokha on Tuesday and said he would not be granted bail as he awaits trial on treason charges.
The arrest of Kem Sokha on September 3 came amid a crackdown on critics of authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who could face the biggest electoral challenge of more than three decades in power next year.
Lawyers for Kem Sokha, leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), had asked the Appeal Court to rule that his detention was illegal on the grounds that he should get immunity from prosecution as an elected member of parliament.

“The Appeal Court decided to uphold the lower court decision to detain Kem Sokha,” court spokesman Touch Tharith said, adding that he would also not be granted bail.
No date has been set for the trial.
Man with no face: Cambodian politician deleted from signs
Hundreds of Kem Sokha’s supporters gathered at barricades outside the Appeal Court before the hearing, but police did not take him to court, prompting his lawyers to walk out before the verdict was delivered.
“According to national and international laws, the accused must be present to defend his rights,” said lawyer Chan Chen. “Without the presence of our client, we can’t participate in this hearing.”

The evidence presented against Kem Sokha so far is a video recorded in 2013 in which he discusses a strategy to win power with the help of US experts.
Hun Sen says his rival was getting help from the United States. The US embassy has rejected any suggestion of interference in politics.
The CNRP on Monday put up banners around Cambodia calling for the release of Kem Sokha in a challenge to Hun Sen, who has said the party may be dissolved if it does not drop him and choose another leader.
Hun Sen has said he plans to stay in power for another decade.


Fashion industry must tailor climate plans to Asian suppliers’ reality

The Thai influencer bringing viral warfare to Cambodia’s border

Escaped Malaysian reveals torture, rape inside Cambodia job scam centre

Thailand, Cambodia clash at UN mine ban talks as ‘fragile’ border truce teeters

Cambodia

Cambodian court rejects appeal to free opposition leader

Leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party Kem Sokha prays during a Buddhist ceremony. Photo: AP

Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) supporters hold placards that read "Free Kem Sokha" during a protest outside the court of appeal in Phnom Penh on September 26, 2017. Lawyers for Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha boycotted a bail hearing on September 26 after their request for their client be present at the hearing was rejected. / AFP PHOTO / TANG CHHIN SOTHY

(FILES) This file photo taken on June 4, 2017 shows Kem Sokha (C), leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), showing his ink-covered finger after voting at a polling station in Phnom Penh. A Cambodian court on September 5, 2017 charged opposition leader Kem Sokha with treason and espionage over an alleged conspiracy with unnamed "foreigners" -- a charge that carries up to 30 years in jail. / AFP PHOTO / STR

News

Asia

Southeast Asia