Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Phnom Penh MunicipalCourt decided on March 5 to extend the pre-trial detention of Kem Sokha, formerPresident of the dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP),for another six months.
The decision was made after Kem Sokha was interrogatedat 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 HunSen said at an inauguration ceremony of a pagoda in the suburban of Phnom Penhthe same day, that he will not propose amnesty for Kem Sokha to the CambodianKing 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 ofCambodia’s penal code.
In November 2017, the Supreme Court of Cambodia ordered the dissolution of theCNRP after the Ministry of Interior affirmed the party’s plot of treason.
The court also banned 118 senior officials of the CNRP from political activityin Cambodia for five years.
Kem Sokha could face 15-30 years in prison.-VNA
VNA