Cambodia opposition activists jailed for 'insurrection' as political tensions soar

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PHNOM PENH (AFP) - A Cambodian court on Monday (June 13) sentenced three more opposition activists to seven years each in prison over their alleged roles in post election protests that turned violent two years ago.

The jailings come as political tensions in Cambodia soar with the opposition party embroiled in a sex scandal and strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen accused of carrying out a fresh crackdown against critics.

Three youth members of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP) were found guilty of insurrection by the Phnom Penh Municipal court on Monday.

The three men were arrested last year after another 11 opposition officials and activists were jailed on the same charges - including three who received 20-year sentences.

The convictions, condemned as politically motivated by rights groups, stem from clashes between protesters and authorities in July 2014 during a demonstration against the closure of Freedom Park, a key site for public rallies in Phnom Penh.

Dozens of security officers and several protesters were injured in the clashes.

At the time the park was a rallying point for Hun Sen's opponents who accused him of rigging the previous year's elections.

The CNRP are currently involved in a fresh standoff with the authorities.

Secret phone calls allegedly between the party's deputy leader Kem Sokha and a mistress were released earlier this year.

He is now wanted for questioning by a court after a prostitution investigation was launched against the woman. But he has refused to be interviewed, arguing that the police investigation is politically motivated, and has holed himself up in the CNRP's headquarter since late May after armed police tried to arrest him.

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