Sam Rainsy, the leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), said he is willing to go to prison if the government releases the dozens of CNRP members, activists, environmentalists, land protesters and human rights officials who are now behind bars. While visiting detained opposition party members Hong Sok Hour and Um Sam An as well as 16 other CNRP activists at Prey Sar prison yesterday, party spokesman Yim Sovann told reporters that Mr. Rainsy is willing to do anything to secure the release of those being held under what they believe are politically motivated charges.
 

“Mr. Sam Rainsy said on his Facebook page that he is willing to go to jail instead of them, to do whatever to make the court and the ruling party release all of them,” he said. “He is willing to stay in jail instead. And even the election, whether there is a political solution, he must come back to the country,” he said.
 

Mr. Rainsy has been in self-imposed exile in France since last November due to a litany of charges and convictions levied against him. This is his latest attempt to bring the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to the negotiating table.

 

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-- © Copyright Khmer Times 18/10

Jailed opposition activists allegedly rebuff Rainsy offer

Tue, 18 October 2016

Mech Dara and Alex Willemyns

 

CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann said yesterday that opposition leader Sam Rainsy wanted to return to Cambodia to be jailed in place of 15 of his party’s activists and officials, but that those prisoners had rebuffed the offer and told Rainsy to remain overseas.

Rainsy has again been living in self-imposed exile since a warrant for his arrest was released a year ago, with many criticising the CNRP leader for his perceived timidity as authorities have arrested numerous opposition officials and dissidents in his absence.

Outside Prey Sar prison yesterday, Sovann said he had met with the 15 jailed activists and officials from the CNRP – including lawmaker Um Sam An and Senator Hong Sok Hour – and told them Rainsy hoped to engineer a deal in which he would return and replace them behind bars.

 

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-- © Copyright Phenom Pen Post 18/10