Phnom Penh (FN), Jan. 18 – The Phnom Penh Municipal Court will resume treason trial of a former president of the court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Kem Sokha on 19 January 2022, according to the court’s order seen by Fresh News on Tuesday.

Kem Sokha has been accused of conspiring with foreigners to topple the legitimate Royal Government of Cambodia. If found guilty, Sokha faces up to 30 years imprisonment.

Sokha was arrested in his house in Phnom Penh’s Tuol Kork district at midnight of 3 September 2017 for act of treason as stipulated and punishable under the Cambodian Criminal Code, Chapter 2 (Infringements on Security of the State), Part 1 (Treason and Espionage), and Article 443 (Conspiracy with Foreign Power).

Following pre-trial detention, Sokha was released on bail and put under judicial control by not allowing leaving border of street 313, street 311, and street 608; nor engaging in any political activities.

On November 2019, Phnom Penh Municipal Court decided to reduce bail conditions for Sokha; yet continue to put him under judicial control with the following obligations: (a) must not leave the border of the Kingdom of Cambodia; (b) must not engage in political activities; (c) must respond to the summons of authority.
=FRESH NEWS