Cambodian Opposition Figure Kem Sokha Sentenced to 27 Years of House Arrest

PHNOM PENH—Prominent Cambodian opposition figure Kem Sokha was sentenced on Friday to 27 years of house arrest after being found guilty of treason, in a case condemned by the United States as politically motivated.

The court in Phnom Penh was also informed by Judge Koy Sao that Kem Sokha will be prohibited from standing for any political office and voting in elections.

In 2017 he was charged with conspiring against the United States in order to topple Hun Sen, a self-described strongman who has ruled Cambodia nearly 40 years.

Washington dismissed all allegations against Kem Skha, the leader of the now disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party. “fabricated conspiracy theories.”

According to his lawyer, Kem Sokha’s legal counsel would appeal against the verdict.

“He’s in house arrest, all of his political and citizens’ rights are completely stripped … This is not justice,” Ang Udom said that his client will only have contact with their family.

The court was under tight security, and hundreds of officers were stationed in vehicles.

W. Patrick Murphy (the U.S. ambassador in Cambodia) said that this case was a miscarriage.

“We call on authorities to allow all Cambodians to enjoy … universal human rights of peaceful assembly and free expression and to participate in building a trul