A Cambodian military court jailed an opposition lawmaker for seven years yesterday for plotting to topple the government, drawing criticism from activists who said the case was politically motivated.
Cheam Channy, of the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP), was arrested in February after the national assembly lifted his immunity along with that of Sam Rainsy and a third party member, Chea Poch. The other two men fled the country immediately.
"I have decided to sentence Cheam Channy to seven years in jail, beginning from his arrest on February 3, 2005," Judge Ney Thol told a packed courtroom, one day after a six-hour trial.
He said the court had been given enough evidence to convict both Cheam Channy and fellow SRP member Khom Piseth, who was tried in absentia after being granted political asylum in Norway. Khom Piseth received a five-year sentence.
Judge Ney Thol said Cheam Channy had recruited "spokesmen" to head a rebel armed force.
"Cheam Channy used the word `spokesmen' as a cover for his bad activities in order to manipulate the nation and the international community," he said.
The accused was also convicted of fraud after being found guilty of soliciting money in return for positions of authority in the alleged rebel force.
Cheam Channy, whose face fell but who remained silent when the verdict was read, had proclaimed his innocence on Monday. He said he was trying to set up a legitimate shadow government typical of any opposition party in the world.
The US embassy condemned the verdict in a statement: "The conduct of the trial raises again questions about the competence and independence of Cambodia's judiciary, and constitutes further intimidation of opposition voices."
New-York based Human Rights Watch also charged that the case was a bid to eliminate political opposition.
"Cheam Channy's conviction before a military court was not only grossly unfair, but poses a serious threat to Cambodia's democracy," Brad Adams, its Asia director, said in a statement.
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