Khmer Times / Taing Vida and Jonathan Cox

Embattled opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s request to conduct a hearing in his defamation trial by Skype was denied yesterday by Phnom Penh Municipal Court director Taing Sunlay. If Mr. Rainsy, currently in self-imposed exile in France, does not appear in court today to answer the summons, the court could issue an arrest warrant. The Municipal Court has pursued three defamation cases against Mr. Rainsy in the last several months, cases that some analysts have said are politically motivated. Two of the defamation cases have already resulted in arrest warrants. Today’s hearing concerns the third and most recent accusation, that a video Mr. Rainsy posted on his Facebook page in November defames Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) senator Heng Samrin.

On Saturday, Mr. Rainsy wrote in a Facebook post that he was willing to testify via Skype, but not in person. “In order to save time and money, I am willing to meet and talk with any judge on Skype,” he said. Mr. Sunlay denied this request yesterday. “The accused has to be present at the court for clarification about the complaint,” he said. “Whenever there is a summons letter, the accused has to come and respond to it.” Some legal experts have questioned the director’s decision, saying that there is no reason Mr. Rainsy should not be allowed to use Skype for his hearing.

read more: http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/19408/court-denies-rainsy-request-for-skype-hearing/

....feeling vulnerable.....???