Kem Sokha was escorted by local law enforcement in 2017 (Source: AFP/VNA) Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Phnom Penh Municipal Court decided on March 5 to extend the pre-trial detention of Kem Sokha, former President of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), for another six months.
The decision was made after Kem Sokha was interrogated at Trapeng Phlong prison in Tbong Khmum province the same day.
Sam So Kong, one of the five lawyers defending Kem Sokha, said the lawyers will go to the Court of Appeals this week.
Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techno Hun Sen said at an inauguration ceremony of a pagoda in the suburban of Phnom Penh the same day, that he will not propose amnesty for Kem Sokha to the Cambodian King and will not negotiate with charged opposition leaders.
Kem Sokha was arrested in September 2017 on charges of “colluding with foreigners” to overthrow the government under Article 443 of Cambodia’s penal code.
In November 2017, the Supreme Court of Cambodia ordered the dissolution of the CNRP after the Ministry of Interior affirmed the party’s plot of treason.
The court also banned 118 senior officials of the CNRP from political activity in Cambodia for five years.
Kem Sokha could face 15-30 years in prison.-VNA
VNA
