Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen (Source: http://www.phnompenhpost.com) Phnom Penh (VNA) - The PhnomPenh court on December 29 found former leader ofthe opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy guilty of defamation ofPrime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen.
The court ordered SamRainsy, who is now on exile, to pay compensation of 1 million USD to the PM andfined him 2,500 USD.
Early this year, Sam Rainsy accused PM HunSen 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 1million USD from the CNRP former leader.
The Appeal Court ofCambodia on August 11 upheld the ruling of a lower court to sentence, inabsentia, Sam Rainsy to 20 months in prison for defaming PM Hun Sen.
In March, the Phnom Penh firstinstance court sentenced Sam Rainsy to one year and eight months in prison andfined him 10 million Riel (2,500 USD) for his involvement in accusing PM HunSen and the Cambodian Government of standing behind the murder of politicalanalyst Kem Ley.
Sam Rainsy was chargedwith defamation and incitement to cause social chaos according to Articles 305,494 and 495 of the Penal Code.
He has been living in exilesince November 2015 to avoid a two-year imprisonment for defaming Deputy PrimeMinister Hor Namhong. He had also been given other sentences in Cambodia.-VNA
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