The US ambassador to Cambodia yesterday said that he was troubled by “fabricated conspiracy theories” at the treason trial of opposition party leader Kem Sokha, who is accused of plotting to overthrow long-ruling Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017 and his party was banned as Hun Sen’s government cracked down on opposition, civil society groups and the media in the run-up to 2018 parliamentary elections, in which the ruling party won every seat.
Kem Sokha’s treason charges stem from accusations that he was conspiring with the US to overthrow Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia with an iron first for more than three decades.
Photo: Reuters
Kem Sokha has denied the charges, saying that they are politically motivated.
“We’re troubled to see prosecutors that have introduced into the courtroom fabricated conspiracy theories about the United States,” US Ambassador to Cambodia Patrick Murphy told reporters after briefly attending Kem Sokha’s ongoing trial.
“Here’s the truth: the United States has contributed almost US$3 billion in recent decades in assistance to Cambodia, including transparent assistance to strengthen institutions and political parties in line with Cambodia’s constitution,” Murphy said.
Kem Sokha has a reputation worldwide as a champion for rights and freedoms, Murphy said, adding that he looked forward to seeing his political rights fully restored.
“This process has potential implications for the rule of law and due process in Cambodia, and for the country’s international relations,” Murphy said.
“My government has made it abundantly clear that the United States has never sought to interfere in Cambodia’s governance, and we respect Cambodia’s independence and sovereignty,” he said.
As Murphy spoke to journalists, a district official in the capital, Phnom Penh, tried to stop him from speaking, but the ambassador was able to finish his statement before leaving.
Commenting on Murphy’s remarks, government spokesman Phay Siphan said that all sides should leave the court to do its work.
“We appeal to all public, including foreigners and Cambodian citizens, to wait and listen to the court, to prosecutors on how they bring and argue charges, we don’t want interference in the judiciary,” Siphan told reporters.
Hun Sen’s massive crackdown on opposition also prompted the EU to cut some of Cambodia’s trade preferences this year, which Brussels said was the result of his government’s “serious and systematic violations” of human rights.
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