Meach Sovannara, an official from the opposition CNRP, was arrested while driving down Monivong Boulevard in Phnom Penh on Tuesday morning, according to police and another CNRP official.

Mr. Sovannara, who is also the director of the opposition Khmer Post Radio, was arrested in accordance with an outstanding court warrant, the police official said.

“We implemented the court warrant to bring him to court,” said deputy municipal police chief Chuon Narin.

Mr. Narin said Mr. Sovannara was being detained at the Phnom Penh police headquarters and would be sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court later Tuesday.

“Now he’s being held at the Phnom Penh municipal police headquarters,” he said. “Since the arrest was made in accordance with the court’s warrant, there is no need to question him further.”

Mr. Sovannara has an outstanding arrest warrant for “joining an insurrection” over a violent clash during a protest near Freedom Park on July 15, which saw seven lawmakers-elect and another CNRP official sent to Prey Sar prison.

The group was released after a political deal was struck between opposition leader Sam Rainsy and Prime Minister HE a week after the clash.

Kem Monovithya, CNRP deputy director of public affairs, said Mr. Sovannara had been in a car traveling along Monivong Boulevard when he was arrested, but said the party had no information about why he was arrested.

A message posted to Mr. Sovannara’s Facebook page shortly after his arrest on Tuesday said.....

...click link to continue reading...

http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/cnrp- ... ted-72082/

Weird. Was Sovannara in the original group that was arrested and released, or has a warrant been out for his arrest for "insurrection" since July 15 and the police have only just "found" him ? Why now ?


Meanwhile, police have difficulties to explain the difference between "detained" and "arrested"... the complexities of legalese :
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/four- ... sts-72076/

Police told the demonstrators that they had no right to gather in front of the court and gave them 20 minutes to clear out. When the protesters refused to move, the police and Prampi Makara district security guards made the arrests.

Deputy municipal police chief Chuon Narin said the four had merely been detained, not arrested, but failed to explain the distinction.


“We did not arrest them, but we detained them, because they interfered with the work of the municipal court,” he said. “We will follow the procedures and send them to the police station.”

Anchor Moy wrote:Weird. Was Sovannara in the original group that was arrested and released, or has a warrant been out for his arrest for "insurrection" since July 15 and the police have only just "found" him ? Why now ?


Meanwhile, police have difficulties to explain the difference between "detained" and "arrested"... the complexities of legalese :
http://www.cambodiadaily.com/news/four- ... sts-72076/

Police told the demonstrators that they had no right to gather in front of the court and gave them 20 minutes to clear out. When the protesters refused to move, the police and Prampi Makara district security guards made the arrests.

Deputy municipal police chief Chuon Narin said the four had merely been detained, not arrested, but failed to explain the distinction.


“We did not arrest them, but we detained them, because they interfered with the work of the municipal court,” he said. “We will follow the procedures and send them to the police station.”

Like police all over the world, they seem to have trouble distinguishing themselves from the law.

Anchor Moy wrote:Weird. Was Sovannara in the original group that was arrested and released, or has a warrant been out for his arrest for "insurrection" since July 15 and the police have only just "found" him ? Why now ?

Ok, looks like an answer in the PPP:

Rights groups and analysts have said this week’s arrests have been orchestrated by the government to pressure the CNRP to concede to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party during negotiations over a new National Election Committee law designed to revamp an institution long seen as politically partisan.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak did little to undercut those accusations yesterday, telling the Post that whether Sovannara – who has been charged with leading an insurrection – was hit with a lengthy prison sentence or not would depend on how flexible the opposition party is with the CPP.

“I know that it will be not 30 years as analysts have said. I believe that it will not be long. If both parties come together [like family], it can be separated from the law,” Sopheak said.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/c ... s-continue

Wow, these guys are straight talkers: In how many countries would politicians come straight out and tell journalists and the world at large that they are holding opposition members under arrest in order to speed up political negociations ? Chutzpah! And the bit about the law - what a gem.

Seriously, I know those in power don't give a f'k, but isn't this more brazen than usual ?