November 20, 2019
Kem Sokha’s lawyers request municipal court drop charges

Kem Sokha’s lawyers on Monday filed another request to Phnom Penh Municipal Court asking that the former opposition party leader’s treason charges be dropped.

In Monday’s request, lawyers Phan Chansak, Meng Sopheary, and Pheng Heng asked Investigating Judge Ky Rithy to drop the charges against Sokha, arguing that no foreigners considered as conspirators in the case were questioned as the investigation concluded last week.

The trio said that Judge Rithy spent more than two years to investigate the case following Sokha’s arrest in September 2017, adding that the prosecutor lacked solid evidence to prove him guilty.

“Two stages of investigation into Mr Sokha’s case have now concluded, but no foreigner was found to be responsible for the case,” they said. “The investigation did not find any foreign state, foreign citizen, or an accomplice allegedly involved as accused by the prosecutor.”
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50661388/k ... p-charges/

Sokha’s lawyers upset case is going to trial
Taing Vida / Khmer Times Share:

KT/ Chor SokuntheaT
Lawyers for former opposition leader Kem Sokha on Tuesday lodged an appeal against a Phnom Penh Municipal Court decision to send their client’s treason case to trial because it failed to question foreign accomplices.



Last month, lawyers Phan Chansak, Meng Sopheary, and Pheng Heng requested Judge Ky Rithy drop treason charges against Sokha, arguing that no foreigners considered as conspirators in the case were questioned as the investigation concluded on November 10.

On Monday, Judge Rithy decided to send Sokha’s treason case to trial, but a date has not yet been set.



In their appeal complaint on Tuesday, Mr Chansak, Ms Sopheary, Mr Heng and Chan Chen informed Phnom Penh Municipal Court director Taing Sunlay that Sokha was dissatisfied with the decision.

Mr Chansak yesterday said Judge Rithy continued to place Sokha under court supervision such as barring him from engaging in politics and overseas trips and failed to address the request to offer solid evidence that could prove Sokha’s guilt.

After his arrest in September 2017, Sokha was charged with treasons for allegedly colluding with the US to overthrow the government.

Mr Chansak noted that judge Rithy conducted an investigation to inculpate Sokha but failed to fulfil the court procedure to investigate and exculpate him.

“Investigating judge must apply both procedure and responses to our request. No foreigners considered as conspirators in the case have been identified or questioned,” Mr Chansak said.



“It does not mean that we do not want the trial to proceed. We hope the court takes serious attention to our request because it’s beneficial to our client,” Mr Chansak added.

Y Rin, a spokesman for Phnom Penh Municipal Court, yesterday said the court received the appeal complaint.

“The court will take further procedure about the complaint,” Mr Rin said.

Touch Tharith, spokesman for the Appeal Court, yesterday said the court has not yet received the appeal.

PHNOM PENH - The morning of January 15, 2020, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court has heard Mr. Kem Sokha's trial for treason.

The hearing was chaired by Mr. Kao Sao, Vice President of the Trial Chamber and President of the Trial Chamber, Judge Seng Leang, Theam Chant Piseth, a judge and advisor to Mr. Vong Bun Visoth.

Kem Sokha was arrested on September 3, 2017 in connection with a "treason" conspiracy with a foreigner to overthrow the legitimate government of Cambodia and was detained in Tbong Khmum prison in Tbong Khmum province for more than a year. He was subsequently released and placed under house arrest while awaiting trial.

Cambodian opposition leader admits U.S. funding, denies overthrow plot
Prak Chan Thul
3 Min Read

PHNOM PENH (Reuters) - Cambodia’s opposition leader admitted in a 2013 video clip played in court on Wednesday to receiving funding and advice from unspecified Americans but denied trying to overthrow the government of strongman Prime Minister HE.

Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017 and his party banned in a crackdown by HE on opposition, civil society groups and the media in the run-up to the 2018 parliamentary election, in which the ruling party won every seat.

Sokha, 66, is on trial on charges of treason, accused of having conspired with the United States to topple HE. He denies the charges, calling them politically motivated. If convicted, Sokha would face up to 30 years in prison.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-camb ... 9&&rpc=401

To free, or not to free, that is the question...

February 24, 2020
Kem Sokha cannot be freed, PM says
[Edited]
Prime Minister HE reiterated today the Kingdom will not trade its sovereignty with Everything-but-Arms trade status in order to have former opposition leader Kem Sokha released.

“I have already said again and again that [we] cannot free him [Kem Sokha] who has destroyed the country. The court procedure is ongoing,” Mr HE said.

“Please follow your law and Cambodia will also follow ours,” Mr HE said. “Today I send a clear message: Cambodia does not backtrack regarding the trial of the traitor.”
Sokha was apprehended in September 2017. Two months later, the CNRP was dissolved by the Supreme Court.

His trial is due to continue on Wednesday.
https://www.khmertimeskh.com/50694626/k ... ed-pm-says