Cambodia jails ‘Lady Liberty’ lawyer for treason over Sam Rainsy’s failed return from exile, alongside dozens of others

Cambodian-American lawyer Theary Seng stood outside the court dressed as Lady Liberty, saying she wanted her arrest to be public and ‘not in the shadow’

She and dozens of others were convicted over a failed attempt by the leader of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party to return from exile in 2019

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Cambodian-American lawyer and human rights advocate Theary Seng, dressed as Lady Liberty, is arrested by police in Phnom Penh on Tuesday after being found guilty of treason. Photo: AFP

Published: 2:03pm, 14 Jun 2022Updated: 1:31am, 15 Jun 2022

A Cambodian-American lawyer and dozens of members of a now-dissolved opposition party were convicted of treason on Tuesday in a trial that was the latest move to tame all opposition to the long-running rule of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Lawyer Theary Seng and most of the other defendants had been charged over a failed attempt by the leader of the defunct Cambodia National Rescue Party to return from exile in 2019. Cambodian authorities blocked Sam Rainsy’s return and alleged the 60 defendants were involved in organising his trip, which Theary Seng and the others have denied.

Cambodian courts are widely believed to be under the influence of Hun Sen, whose authoritarian style of rule has kept him in power for 37 years. The Cambodia National Rescue Party was his party’s biggest rival before it was disbanded by a court ruling just ahead of national elections in 2018 that resulted in a clean sweep by Hun Sen’s Cambodia People’s Party.

Hun Sen votes in elections earlier this month. The Cambodian leader has been in power for 37 years and has repeatedly stated his intention to stay in office until 2028. Photo Xinhua

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court found Theary Seng and most of the others guilty of conspiracy to commit treason, defence lawyer Choung Chou Ngy said. Theary Seng was sentenced to six years in jail, and the others received sentences of five to eight years.

Many of the 60 defendants earlier fled into exile or went into hiding, and it was not immediately clear how many appeared in court for the verdict on Tuesday.

Theary Seng stood outside the court as the verdict was announced, saying she wanted her arrest to be public and “not in the shadow”. Media saw at least three police officers approach Theary Seng, hold her hands and body, and push her into a waiting police truck soon after the verdict came.

She was garbed as Lady Liberty, in a light green gown and a crown with “Freedom” written on it, and from time to time, she raised up her imitation torch and shouted “free the political prisoners”. She has worn thematic costumes to her court sessions to publicise her belief that Cambodia is not a democratic nation and the trial is unfair.