Kem Sokha denies US funding accusation in party creation

[geovalin]

Former CNRP leader Kem Sokha yesterday in court defended the creation of his Human Rights Party after a deputy prosecutor questioned him on whether the United States financed the party. Sokha created HRP in 2007 and it participated in the 2008 general election and won three National Assembly seats. It merged with the Sam Rainsy Party in 2012 to form the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved by the Supreme Court in 2017 after Sokha was jailed on a treason charge.

 

The creation of HRP was placed under the spotlight after a 2013 video interview of Sokha by Australian broadcaster CBN was admitted as evidence in court. In the video, Sokha allegedly said the United States had been helping in pushing for a regime change in the Kingdom. Sokha denied he created the HRP as a vessel for the US funding after deputy prosecutor Theam Piseth asked questions on whether the US financed the party’s creation.

 

“I did create the Human Rights Party in order to contest free and fair elections,” he said. “My purpose was to make positive changes through elections, not topple the government through a colour revolution.” “The party was funded by the Khmers and party members including those abroad,” Sokha said.

 

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