Rights groups in Cambodia claim that a court in Cambodia has found opposition lawmaker Teav Vannol innocent of slander and awarded him US$ 1.5 million in damages for remarks he made to a foreign press channel about the state of the nation’s politics.
Vannol, the leader of the Candlelight Party, claimed that under Hun Manet’s leadership, politics had deteriorated in the Southeast Asian nation in an appointment with the Nikkei in February. He is the brother of the country’s long-time head Hun Sen and assumed authority next year.
The Candlelight Party was prohibited from participating in the previous year’s general election, which saw a flood victory for Hun’s decision Thai Women’s Party.
The court in Phnom Penh on Thursday found Vannol guilty of violating content 305 on libel and ordered him to give 6 billion louis ( about US$ 1.5 million ) in restitution, rights team LICADHO, and an independent right track, told Reuters. Both parties had associates in the courtroom.
A jury and authorities spokesperson could not be reached right away. Vannol’s lawyer did not respond to calls from Reuters, and he is already outside the country.
Subsequent Vietnamese governments have repeatedly denied repressing opposition and claim that politicians and campaigners are simply held accountable if they have committed crimes.
Worries about political independence in Cambodia have gotten worse over time. According to experts, Hun Sen’s rule was characterized by the destruction of the opposition, the closure of independent media, and activists ‘ imprisonment.
How could it possibly be illegal for Vannol to make remarks to journalists criticizing his political rival as the chairman of the opposition party? said LICADHO’s Naly Pilorge.
Any chance for democracy and democratic freedom depends on the ability of all people to express their concerns and critiques of the country’s social leaders.
A animal rights expert in court, Kim Pisith, said the ruling sent a cold message to those who criticize the government: they face jail time, severe charges, and possible legal consequences.
A group of climate activists were given up to eight years in prison for plotting against the authorities and insulting the king, according to a Thai court’s ruling just weeks after.