The Phnom Penh Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s decision to sentence Kem Sokha, opposition leader and former president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, to 27 years in prison on charges of treason and conspiring with foreign forces to overthrow the government. The court maintained the original ruling ordering him to serve the sentence under house arrest and added a five-year ban on traveling abroad.
Peng Heng, Kem Sokha’s lawyer, said after hearing the verdict that the decision was contrary to the defense’s hope for national reconciliation and unity. He added that they will discuss with their client whether to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Kem Sokha was arrested on 3 September 2017 by security forces loyal to former Prime Minister Hun Sen and was sentenced in 2023 to 27 years in prison for attempting to overthrow Hun Sen’s government. However, the court allowed him to serve his sentence under house arrest in Phnom Penh instead of in prison.
Peng Heng told reporters outside the courthouse that in addition to upholding the original prison sentence, the judges also imposed an additional penalty of a five-year ban on traveling abroad.
Previously, Kem Sokha had requested the Court of Appeal to overturn the conviction. His lawyer stated that he was willing to seek a "political resolution" to end the case, but the Court of Appeal took only three weeks to decide after an 18-month hiatus, ultimately affirming the lower court’s ruling.
Over the years, the legal process has been criticized for unusual delays. Kem Sokha has been held both in prison and under house arrest, subjected to strict restrictions, including prohibitions on contact with anyone other than family members in person or online without prosecutor approval.
Although Cambodia saw a power transition from Hun Sen to his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet, in 2023, human rights and political freedoms remain heavily criticized as deteriorating.
Cambodia is now viewed as a one-party state after the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won all parliamentary seats in the latest election, following the disqualification of main opposition parties from contesting.
Human rights organization Human Rights Watch issued a statement demanding the Cambodian authorities immediately revoke this "sham" verdict, stating the case was politically motivated from the start to block opposition leaders’ political participation, undermining the legitimacy of the 2028 local and general elections.
Briony Lao, Asia Deputy Director at Human Rights Watch, said foreign governments and donors should take a clear stance, particularly by suspending technical support for upcoming elections until the Cambodian government genuinely opens political space and restores opposition rights unconditionally.
Source: AFP /Human Rights Watch