Pen Mom denies plotting with Rainsy to topple government


       

Buth Reaksmey Kongkea 

Pen Mom, aka Sreymom, a former CNRP activist, on Friday asked the Supreme Court to overturn a lower court verdict which has sentenced her to five years in prison over her alleged activities along with Sam Rainsy to create social unrest and attempting to overthrow the government between 2017 and 2019. 

The 42-year-old former elected councillor of Kandorl commune in her appeal denied all the charges levelled against her saying that after the CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017, she had never contacted Rainsy or other former CNRP’s officials or leaders. 

She also denied joining Rainsy’s plot in attempting to overthrow the government during his repatriation plan on November 11, 2019. 

“My arrest and the sentence given by the lower court against me up to five years in prison is injustice and I cannot accept that because I did not commit any such thing. So, I request the court to release me from prison,” Sreymom told the Supreme Court. 

However, the Supreme Court Deputy Prosecutor Chhuon Chanth rejected her claims and said that Sreymom had urged former CNRP’s supporters to go and greet Sam Rainsy on his repatriation on November 11, 2019; which was meant to create chaos, insecurity and attempt to overthrow the government at that time.  

“Therefore, I would suggest the judges’ council of the Supreme Court to uphold the judgment of Preah Sihanouk Court dated September on August 18, 2021 as effected,” he added. 

A verdict is due on July 22.

 

 

 

 

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