Phnom Penh | Seven Cambodians were convicted of “treason” after having published online articles favorable to one of the opposition leaders in exile in France, Sam Rainsy, a new turn of the screw by the authorities who are stepping up the repression.
Four people on the run and a fifth already in detention were sentenced to seven years in prison. Two others, who have since joined the ruling party, received a five-year suspended sentence, their lawyer, Sam Sokong, told AFP on Thursday. They will appeal.
Sam Rainsy is the co-founder of the Cambodia National Salvation Party (PSNC) which made a breakthrough in the 2013 general election, before being dissolved four years later by the country’s Supreme Court.
This historic opponent of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, at the head of the country for 35 years, has been living in exile in France since 2015.
These attempts to return to Cambodia were aborted and he faces up to 30 years in prison in his country.
Hun Sen, one of the oldest ruling leaders in the world, was able to further strengthen his grip after the 2018 legislative elections which gave his party, the Cambodian People’s Party (PPC), all of the seats in Parliament, results strongly contested by the international community.
The repression has intensified further in recent weeks.
Since the end of July, 24 activists (political opponents, environmentalists, rappers describing social problems …) have been arrested, according to the UN, which deplores “a worsening of the intolerance of the authorities”.
These arrests are aimed at “preventing chaos and ensuring order”, defended government spokesman Phay Siphan.