Phnom Penh (FN), May 31 – A former lawmaker of CNRP Ou Chanrith declared his defection from Sam Rainsy and requested Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen to seek pardons on all his convictions, according to Ou Chanrith's letter seen by Fresh News on Wednesday (May 31).

"I have been charged and sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. In this regard, I would like to inform Samdech that I decided to defect and cut off political activities with Sam Rainsy and ex-CNRP due to the lacks of trust on the party's foreign dependency policy which could not lead to national unity and reconciliation," according to the letter.

"As mentioned above, I would like to request Samdech to intervene to the King for pardons and drop all charges so that I can freely return to Cambodia, the letter added.

Phnom Penh court sentenced former CNRP officials and activists Ho Vann, Ou Chanrith, Kong Sophea, and Seng Mengbunrong to two years imprisonment and a fine of USD 1,000 each on the charge of incitement for social unrest.
=FRESH NEWS