Cambodia to resume trial of former opposition leader this week

Kem Sokha, former President of the dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, on his way to a trial at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on February 12, 2020 (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia is setto resume the trial of former opposition leader Kem Sokha on February 16 afterpostponement due to his lawyer reportedly contracting COVID-19.

TheSpokesman of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and Deputy Prosecutor, PlongSophal, told local media that the hearing will continue at 8:30am on February16.

Earlier,Cheng Penghap, one of Sokha’s lawyers, was diagnosed with COVID-19 during acheck-up.

Kem Sokha, former President of the dissolved Cambodia NationalRescue Party (CNRP), was charged with conspiracy with foreign power to topplethe Royal Government of Cambodia. If convicted, he may face up to 30 yearsin prison.

Sokhawas arrested over treason charges at his home in Toul Kork district of PhnomPenh on September 3, 2017 and released on bail after that. He has been underthe court’s monitoring and banned from conducting any political activities sincethen. In November 2019, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court reduced some bail conditions for him./.

VNA