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Cambodia's newly returned opposition leader has denounced political intimidation and warned that this month's election will be a "sham" unless he is allowed to stand as a candidate.
Sam Rainsy, who was greeted by huge crowds on Friday after his return from self-imposed exile in France, is seen as the main challenger to strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen.
But he has been removed from the electoral register and is unable to run as a candidate in the July 28 polls unless parliament amends the law.
In an interview with Radio Free Asia, Sam Rainsy warned that demonstrations might break out if he is not allowed to stand.
"If I can't participate, after the elections all the Cambodian people will protest and the whole international community will condemn the result and regard this as a sham election," Sam Rainsy was quoted as saying.
"Then we will demand a real election to allow Cambodians to decide their true destiny."
US lawmakers have called for the United States to cut off aid to Cambodia unless the vote is free.
Sam Rainsy, a French-educated former banker, fled in 2009 to avoid charges he contends were politically motivated.
He was convicted in his absence of charges including inciting racial discrimination and spreading disinformation and had faced 11 years in jail, but he received a royal pardon earlier this month.
Aiming to finally unseat Hun Sen, he recently joined forces with former rival and veteran activist-turned-politician Kem Sokha to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).
Although he is not a candidate, he has hit the campaign trail to spearhead his party's efforts to end Hun Sen's nearly three decades in power.
A charismatic and fiery speaker, Sam Rainsy is expected to draw large crowds on a whirlwind schedule taking him to over a dozen provinces in a week.
He started his tour yesterday in Kampong Speu province, 45 kilometres west of the capital.
The UN's special rapporteur on human rights in Cambodia, Surya Subedi, last week urged Cambodia to let Sam Rainsy play a "full part" in politics.
Hun Sen is one of Southeast Asia's longest-serving leaders. His Cambodian People's Party (CPP) won the last two polls by a landslide amid allegations of fraud and election irregularities.
His government is regularly accused of suppressing political freedoms and muzzling activists. In May Hun Sen was quoted as saying he would try to stay in power for another decade.
The opposition also accused people in power of being behind an attack by an unknown gunman who fired a bullet at the party's headquarters in the early hours yesterday.
Nobody was hurt in the incident at the offices of the CNRP in Phnom Penh which were closed at the time.
"I think this attack was orchestrated by people in power. This is a politically motivated case," CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann said. "This is a cowardly act … We're not scared by this attack at all," he said.
Police confirmed the attack took place and are investigating.
Additional reporting by Associated Press


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Hun Sen

Sam Rainsy fights to challenge Hun Sen in Cambodian elections

Opposition leader Sam Rainsy greets supporters during a rally in Kampong Speu province yesterday. Photo: EPA

Cambodian opposition leader Rainsy makes jubilant return from exile

Sam Rainsy waves to wellwishers in Phnom Penh

Supporters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) shout slogans during the general election campaign in Phnom Penh. Photo: AFP

Sam Rainsy. Photo: AP

Cheering crowds of supporters rally to welcome Sam Rainsy, President of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), outside the Phnom Penh International Airport in Phnom Penh. Photo: Xinhua

Exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy to return for Cambodia poll

Supporters of Sam Rainsy's party shout slogans as they watch him during a videoconference in Kandal province, Cambodia. Photo: AFP

News

Asia

Cambodia's newly returned opposition leader has denounced political intimidation and warned that this month's election will be a "sham" unless he is allowed to stand as a candidate.
