Cambodia court charges opposition politician with defamation

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A leading Cambodian opposition politician who complained about alleged unfairness in June local elections has been charged with defamation

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- A leading Cambodian opposition politician who publicly complained about alleged unfairness in June local elections has been charged with defamation, his lawyer said Thursday.

 

Son Chhay, deputy president of the opposition Candlelight Party, said in an online interview after the polls that the state National Election Committee was biased in favor of the governing Cambodian People’s Party. He also said there was vote-buying and intimidation of voters. His allegations were denied by the government.

 

Both the National Election Committee and the Cambodian People’s Party sued Son Chhay for defamation. Lawyer Choung Chou Ngy said Son Chhay was officially charged by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday. Son Chhay, who holds joint Cambodian and Australian nationality, left Cambodia before the lawsuits were filed. The election committee had demanded a published apology from Son Chhay and the Cambodian People’s Party sought $1 million in compensation.

 

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