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Lawmaker appeals for acquittal from Cambodian court

A Cambodian opposition lawmaker yesterday pleaded for acquittal from a military court, which tried him on charges that he had illegally recruited an armed group to oppose the government.

The one-day proceedings were adjourned, and presiding judge Ney Thol said he will announce the verdict today.

The case has been widely seen as a government attempt to gag political dissent. It was initiated at the same time as cases against two other opposition lawmakers.

Cheam Channy of the Sam Rainsy Party was arrested on Feb. 3 after the National Assembly voted to strip his parliamentary immunity. He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty.

The prosecution also added a charge of fraud against Cheam Channy for allegedly collecting fees from recruits to the so-called armed group. The new charge carries a jail term of up to five years.

Cheam Channy, 44, called the charges "untrue," saying he had only acted as head of his party's defense committee -- approved by Sam Rainsy -- to gather information about problems related to defense and security matters.

"I have never recruited or appointed anyone in an army structure, nor have I taken money from anyone," he told a court room packed with some 130 observers, including journalists, diplomats and human rights workers.

"I am pleading with the court to set me free. I have never done anything even close to what the charges against me say," he added.

But military prosecutor Prum Sun Thol insisted that judge punish the lawmaker as charged, claiming that Cheam Channy's action "could affect national security."

Citing military intelligence and testimony by prosecution witnesses, he argued that Cheam Channy "is truly the leader in recruiting an armed group to fight against the government."

Mao Sophearith, one of Cheam Channy's two lawyers, ridiculed the prosecutor's argument and said: "How can this charge be sustained when not even a single gun, grenade, knife or stick was ever found?"

Cambodian and overseas human rights groups expect a guilty verdict and accuse Cambodian courts of corruption and bending to political influence.

"All of us, the human-rights workers, are really concerned, scared that unfortunately he will be convicted," said Kek Galabru, president of the Cambodian human rights group Licadho.

Sam Rainsy, the leader of the party named after himself, said the outcome of the trial "will be an important indication" of the government's intentions toward the opposition.

If Cheam Channy receives a severe sentence and others are charged as well, "the trend will be very worrying," said Sam Rainsy, who himself faces three lawsuits charging defamation and slander.

Prime Minister Hun Sen claims Sam Rainsy slandered him by accusing the government of plotting to kill its opponents. Sam Rainsy and Chea Poch, another opposition lawmaker facing legal charges, fled Cambodia after having their immunity revoked by the National Assembly.
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