Sam Rainsy, 36 ex-CNRP officials jailed to 6 years in absentia

 


 

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea

Phnom Penh Municipal Court on December 22, 2022 sentenced Sam Rainsy, former leader of court-dissolved CNRP, and other 36 ex-CNRP officials in absentia for conspiring to overthrow the government with the planned return of the party’s vice-president Mua Sochua from the US in 2021. 

The municipal court pronounced five to six years in jail for each one of them while dropping charges against one accused after he was found not involved with the conspiracy plot. 


Presiding Judge Ouk Reth Kunthear said that 11 of the total 37 accused - Sam Rainsy (71), his wife Tioulong Saumura (70), Eng Chhay Eang (55); Long Ry (50); Mua Sochua (68); Ou Chanrath (51); Ou Chanrith (51); Ho Vann (73); Heng Daro (48); Men Sothavrin (61); and Van Narith (56) were sentenced to six  years each in prison and barred from active politics, including voting, for seven years.   

Rest of the accused were sentenced by the court to five years each in prison. 


“The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued these accused’s arrest warrants and ordered the competent authorities to seek for them in order to bring them to be punished by the laws as per the court’s verdict,” said Judge Reth Kunthear.  

Judge Reth Kunthear also issued arrest warrant for the accused who had been charged with plotting under Articles 29 and 453 of the Criminal Code.  

She added that only three of the accused activists - Kong Mas based in Svay Rieng province; Voeung Samnang, former Chaktomuk commune deputy chief; and Khan Bunpheng, former Prek Preah Sdach commune chief - had been detained at the Correctional Centre I in Phnom Penh. 

Kong Mas who was brought to the court yesterday, told the media outside the courtroom that he will appeal against the ‘unjust verdict. // END// 

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