Phnom Penh (FN), Nov. 11 - The Ministry of Justice issued a statement on Sunday to dismiss Sam Rainsy’s statement on Kem Sokha’s release, and that the ministry has considered Rainsy lacks of judicial understanding.

The ministry’s statement was made in response to Sam Rainsy’s statement on Facebook on 9 November: “Does Hun Sen dare to bet with me? On 7 November, Hun Sen says that we will have to wait for “a horse to grow horns” before he frees Kem Sokha. I still believe that under international pressure, Mr. Hun Sen will be forced to release Mr. Sokha in the near future, apparently on 29 December 2018, or at the latest 3 March 2019. A day later, Sam Rainsy also spoke in an interview with Radio Free Asia by providing falsifying and misleading legal grounds.

The Ministry would like to inform as follows:

(1) The accused Kem Sokha was allegedly charged with conspiring with foreigners, a violation of Cambodian criminal code, which is subjected to 15-30 years imprisonment.

(2) Kem Sokha was temporarily detained on 5 September 2017, and was released on bail and put under judicial control on 9 September 2018. According to the criminal procedure of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the detention ordered by investigating judge on criminal offense can last up to six months and can be extended to another six months twice. The fact that Sam Rainsy stated the pre-trail detention will end no later than 3 March 2019 is a claim lacks of legal understanding and court procedures. Sam Rainsy should know that Kem Sokha was put under judicial control and that it is not under the framework of pre-trial detention which lasts up to 18 months maximum. The fact that Sam Rainsy stated the pre-trial detention in France can be no longer than two days is a “lie”; a convict Sam Rainsy who has French nationality does not even know the French law.

(3) Criminal offense of the accused Kem Sokha is under the jurisdiction of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s investigating judge. The judge shall decide upon this case in accordance to its independent discretion based on the case, evidences, and laws of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and without any pressures from any foreigners or any individuals.
=FRESH NEWS