Um Sam An's lawyer Hem Socheat speaks to reporters in Phnom Penh after the court's ruling, Dec. 23, 2016. RFA
associate appellate court within the Pnom Penh national capital on Fri turned down asking by a imprisoned opposition parliamentarian that it overturn a jail term obligatory in reference to a border dispute with neighboring Vietnam.
Cambodia National party (CNRP) leader Um surface-to-air missile associate was handed a two-and-a [*fr1] year sentence and a four million Cambodian monetary unit (U.S. $976) fine in Oct for “inciting discrimination” and “inciting social instability.”
The charges arose from accusations announce on the lawmaker’s Facebook page that the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) had didn't stop land encroachment by Vietnam and used improper maps to demarcate the border between the 2 former colonies of France.
Cambodian prime minister Hun subunit had ordered police in Gregorian calendar month to arrest anyone inculpative the govt. of mistreatment “fake” maps to cede national territory to Vietnam, that invaded and occupied Asian nation in 1979 to overthrow the rule of the KR.
In rejecting Um surface-to-air missile An’s charm on Dec. 23, Seng Sivutha—president of the Hearing Council of the proceedings Court—said that the parliamentarian’s actions had brought disorder to society and broken the government’s name and dignity.
Defense attorney Hem Socheat aforementioned but that the proceedings court’s move in upholding the judgment of the court was politically driven and had incontestible bias against his consumer.
Unfair judgment
“We see this as unfair,” Hem Socheat told reporters following the announcement of the court’s call. “The courts forever behave like this.”
“The courts say they're freelance and act in line with the law, except for my purchasers UN agency area unit concerned in political cases, the courts forever take prompt action by detaining, arresting, and prosecuting them.”
“I haven't seen a court use its freelance power to free somebody unless a political resolution has been reached,” he said, adding that he can currently charm to Cambodia’s Supreme Court to secure his client’s unleash.
Speaking to RFA’s Khmer Service, Cambodia-based political observer Kim Sok aforementioned that the rejection of Um surface-to-air missile An’s charm solely serves to strengthen the CPP ‘s campaign to destroy its political opposition and win favor with Vietnam.
“What they're doing here is pushing for Vietnam to succeed in its goals [for a positive border demarcation] quickly just in case the CPP loses political power within the close to future, Kim Sok aforementioned.
“Thus, they'll ne'er enable Um surface-to-air missile associate, UN agency could be a outstanding and outspoken member of the CNRP, to be free anytime shortly,” he said.
Reported by RFA’s Khmer Service. Translated by Sovannarith Keo. Written in English by Richard
