Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (Source: http://www.phnompenhpost.com) Phnom Penh (VNA) - The Phnom Penh court on December 29 found former leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy guilty of defamation of Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
The court ordered Sam Rainsy, who is now on exile, to pay compensation of 1 million USD to the PM and fined him 2,500 USD.
Early this year, Sam Rainsy accused PM Hun Sen of paying pro-government media activist Thy Sovantha 1 million USD to cause trouble to the CNRP.
PM Hun Sen filed a lawsuit against Sam Rainsy, demanding compensation of 1 million USD from the CNRP former leader.
The Appeal Court of Cambodia on August 11 upheld the ruling of a lower court to sentence, in absentia, Sam Rainsy to 20 months in prison for defaming PM Hun Sen.
In March, the Phnom Penh first instance court sentenced Sam Rainsy to one year and eight months in prison and fined him 10 million Riel (2,500 USD) for his involvement in accusing PM Hun Sen and the Cambodian Government of standing behind the murder of political analyst Kem Ley.
Sam Rainsy was charged with defamation and incitement to cause social chaos according to Articles 305, 494 and 495 of the Penal Code.
He has been living in exile since November 2015 to avoid a two-year imprisonment for defaming Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong. He had also been given other sentences in Cambodia.-VNA
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