Cambodian court charges opposition senator with 3 counts of crimes

Recently, he ordered the arrest of opposition activists over a protest that had turned violent, as well as the arrest of a tycoon who had brutally beaten a TV presenter in a nightclub.

The senator was arrested on Saturday morning at a villa in Phnom Penh’s Sen Sok district after he posted to Facebook on Wednesday a fake worldwide treaty related to the Cambodia and Vietnam border.

Senator Hong Sok Hour was accused of treason by Hun Sen for posting a treaty purported to show Cambodia’s former head of state Heng Samrin pledging to dissolve the Cambodian-Vietnam border in 1979, The Cambodia Daily newspaper reported.

The arrest was the latest in a string of attacks on Hun Sen’s political opponents.

The opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party has been seeking political benefit by accusing Vietnam of encroaching on Cambodian soil – a politically sensitive topic that has ramped up tensions at the border.

In a letter sent to Nai Pena, Acting President of the Senate, on Saturday, National Police chief Neth Savoeun said the arrest of the senator Hong Sok Hour was made based on a “red-handed” crime and in accordance with the kingdom’s code of criminal procedures.

A Cambodian opposition senator could be jailed for 17 years after a court charged him Sunday over the posting of a disputed document on social media about the border with Vietnam.

Hong Sok Hour has denied the charges against him.

The CNRP formed following a merger between members of the SRP – named after the current CNRP leader Sam Rainsy — and The Human Rights party, ahead of 2013 elections.

“This is against global law, and too often this Cambodian government resorts to intimidation, threats and arrests against people who say things that they don’t like”, he said.

“This is a crime that amounts to treason”, Hun Sen said during a speech at a graduation ceremony.

Although Hun Sen has no legal power to order someone’s arrest, authorities are known to act swiftly on the Prime Minister’s request. Party officials were now waiting for instructions from Sam Rainsy, who is expected to return from a trip overseas today, he said. Translated by Sarada Taing.