Cambodia PM warns of life behind bars for political foe

By Lauren Crothers

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AA) – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has threatened the acting leader of the opposition party with the prospect of a life behind bars for hiding out to avoid being arrested for the past month.

Kem Sokha has been holed up at the headquarters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) ever since police mounted a failed attempt to arrest him in connection with an extra-marital affair he had, about which the court now wants to question him.

On Thursday, The Cambodia Daily quoted the premier as saying that Sokha should “come out” of his hiding place.

“I want to send you the message that you will be imprisoned forever,” Hun Sen said, later adding that “when the time comes, it will be done…. If you don’t go to prison, the prison will come to you.”

Writing from the United States, Cambodian political analyst Ou Virak told Anadolu Agency on Thursday that Hun Sen’s latest threats have come as no surprise.

“We all know he has a tight grip on the courts and can pull any and all strings he wishes. All of these point to an upcoming election that could not be trusted,” he said.

“The public has little confidence in the court [in] the national election commission. We have politicians who are out of touch of the people,” he added. “The young population of Cambodia could only grow more frustrated and angry. My main concern is that this is not a formula for real stability.”

A Council of Ministers spokesman told Anadolu Agency on Thursday that he did not hear Hun Sen say anything about Sokha having to go to jail “forever” and denied that the premier’s remarks were an act of interference with the judicial system.

“First of all, Kem Sokha said publicly that the court ordered to throw him in jail,” Phay Siphan said. “As well, the law points out clearly that court order for criminal cases. The opposition party always puts the blame.”

Asked how Hun Sen’s speech did not amount to interference, Siphan argued that “the judges have their own discretion to decide that, not just follow anyone’s orders… They have a responsibility.”

Sokha has been acting as party leader ever since CNRP President Sam Rainsy went into self-imposed exile to avoid imprisonment in a years-old defamation case.