Cambodian opposition lawmaker sentenced to jail for fake government pledge on Facebook

Record ID: 79873

  • Title: Cambodian opposition lawmaker sentenced to jail for fake government pledge on Facebook
  • Date: 7th November 2016
  • Summary: PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (FILE - OCTOBER 2, 2015) (REUTERS) ***WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** RIOT POLICEMEN ESCORTING OPPOSITION PARTY SENATOR HONG SOK HOUR TO THE COURT ROOM POLICEMAN STANDING IN COURT BASEMENT RIOT POLICEMEN ESCORTING SOK HOUR OUT OF THE COURT ROOM TO THE CAR SOK HOUR GETTING INTO CAR CAR CARRYING SOK HOUR DRIVING AWAY
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2016 10:23
  • Keywords: Cambodia opposition Hong Sok Hour lawmaker
  • Location: PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
  • City: PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA
  • Country: Cambodia
  • Topics: Crime/Law/Justice,Judicial Process/Court Cases/Court Decisions
  • Reuters ID: LVA00257G2SED
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Cambodian opposition senator Hong Sok Hour was sentenced to seven years in jail on Monday (November 7) for posting on Facebook a fake government pledge to dissolve Cambodia's border with Vietnam.
    Cambodia has for centuries fretted about its much bigger neighbours - Vietnam to the east and Thailand to the northwest - encroaching on its territory. The issue remains emotive and many Cambodians are suspicious of both countries.
    Sok Hour was not brought to court to hear the verdict on Monday but party members from his party, Cambodian National Rescue Party gathered outside the court.
    "This verdict once again shows the weakness of this court system in Cambodia. The court, which represent the justice for all Cambodians, does not give justice to Mr Hong Sok Hour, not only him but in many other politically-motivated cases," parliament member Son Chhay said.
    Sok Hour, who stood trial on October 27, was arrested in August last year, two days after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered his arrest amid what activists say is a crackdown on critics of Hun Sen ahead of local and general elections.
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