Cambodian Supreme Court upholds opposition politician’s incitement conviction
7 reported
Cambodia’s Supreme Court on Friday upheld the incitement conviction of prominent opposition politician Rong Chhun while suspending the remainder of his prison sentence, according to a report from ABC News. The decision keeps Rong Chhun out of prison but prohibits him from practicing politics for years. The 56-year-old, a top adviser to the Nation Power Party, was found guilty last year of inciting social unrest after meeting with villagers displaced by government construction projects. Supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court complex in Phnom Penh reacted with anger to the decision. Under the ruling, Rong Chhun will be barred from any political involvement for five years, including voting or standing as a candidate, and banned from traveling abroad for three years, the remainder of his original four-year sentence, his attorney Em Chantha told reporters. Rong Chhun had been free while his appeal was pending. He said he and his attorney would study the verdict to decide whether to ask Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni for a pardon.
What’s reported
Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld the incitement conviction of opposition politician Rong Chhun on Friday.
The court suspended the remainder of his prison sentence, keeping him out of prison.
Rong Chhun, 56, is a top adviser to the Nation Power Party.
He was found guilty last year of inciting social unrest after meeting with villagers displaced by government construction projects.
Under the decision, he is prohibited from political involvement for five years and banned from traveling abroad for three years.
His attorney Em Chantha reported the terms of the ruling.
Rong Chhun said he and his attorney would study the verdict to consider asking King Norodom Sihamoni for a pardon.
Key figures
Rong Chhun: prominent opposition politician, top adviser to the Nation Power Party
Em Chantha: attorney for Rong Chhun
Hun Manet: Prime Minister of Cambodia (mentioned in context of government actions)
King Norodom Sihamoni: King of Cambodia
Sources: abcnews.com
