By Sopheng Cheang
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia
AP
A former Cambodian prime minister, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, was sentenced in absentia to 18 months in prison on Tuesday on embezzlement charges filed by members of the royalist political party he once led.
The action should make it difficult for Ranariddh, a once-influential national figure who is the son of former King Norodom Sihanouk, to stage a political comeback. Ranariddh was co-prime minister of the country from 1993-97, and his supporters alleged the move was politically motivated.
The Funcinpec party, which ousted Ranariddh as president in October 2006, had sued the prince accusing him of allegedly embezzling some US$3.6 million (euro2.7 million) from the sale of the party's headquarters in August that year.
Judge Sao Meach, of Phnom Penh Municipal Court, found the prince guilty of breach of trust and sentenced him to 18 months in prison.
Muong Arun, Ranariddh's lawyer, dismissed the verdict as unjust. Ranariddh is not in Cambodia, but his exact whereabouts are not clear.
Funcinpec rejected Ranariddh as its leader on Oct. 18, citing his alleged incompetence and frequent absences from the country.
Ranariddh's longtime political rival, Prime Minister Hun Sen, had encouraged the party to eject Ranariddh. Funcinpec is the junior partner in Hun Sen's coalition government.
Since his ouster, Ranariddh has formed his own political party named after himself, the Norodom Ranariddh Party.
Tuesday's verdict would prevent Ranariddh from running for public office in Cambodia unless he serves at least two-thirds of his jail term or receives a pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni, his half brother.
But Hun Sen, in a speech Saturday, made it clear that he would not back a royal pardon for Ranariddh.
The action should make it difficult for Ranariddh, a once-influential national figure who is the son of former King Norodom Sihanouk, to stage a political comeback. Ranariddh was co-prime minister of the country from 1993-97, and his supporters alleged the move was politically motivated.
The Funcinpec party, which ousted Ranariddh as president in October 2006, had sued the prince accusing him of allegedly embezzling some US$3.6 million (euro2.7 million) from the sale of the party's headquarters in August that year.
Judge Sao Meach, of Phnom Penh Municipal Court, found the prince guilty of breach of trust and sentenced him to 18 months in prison.
Muong Arun, Ranariddh's lawyer, dismissed the verdict as unjust. Ranariddh is not in Cambodia, but his exact whereabouts are not clear.
Funcinpec rejected Ranariddh as its leader on Oct. 18, citing his alleged incompetence and frequent absences from the country.
Ranariddh's longtime political rival, Prime Minister Hun Sen, had encouraged the party to eject Ranariddh. Funcinpec is the junior partner in Hun Sen's coalition government.
Since his ouster, Ranariddh has formed his own political party named after himself, the Norodom Ranariddh Party.
Tuesday's verdict would prevent Ranariddh from running for public office in Cambodia unless he serves at least two-thirds of his jail term or receives a pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni, his half brother.
But Hun Sen, in a speech Saturday, made it clear that he would not back a royal pardon for Ranariddh.
9 comments:
This is his final Solution PARDON/ Pardon M...
ha ha
Dirty Prince, eats every thing including his own subordinate's daughter
How Devada/Buddha judged Ranariddh case very fairly
Next Royal Pardon will cause to reduce King's Popularity.
King should also pardon farmers in jail due to Land Grabling
Acha Knoy
Samdachs eat every thing including their subordinate's daughter/or wives..
VERY DIRTY ..........
"...MAY BE NOT FAIR BUT RIGHT" Krom Preah 's case/
Cheyyo Great son Krom Preass RUN Rot
Cheyyo Greatest SON Moheassara Krapong.....
Cheyyo Great Krom Khun
Cheyyo Grat Preah Ream.......
O yes OO ya, O.... Yes O Yes
Cheyyo 1 ha 3 tons
It is not the heavier case than criminal against humanity as Hun Sen do!!
Hun Sen must be in jail and will be hanged if Cambodia Court has transparency
our Norodom Ranaridh party always goes ahead despite of many incidences from CPP (Communist Pro youn Party) lead by Hun Sen
http://coupof56july.alkablog.com
http://hengpoev.alkablog.com
HEAVIER OR LIGHT CRIME IS CRIME.
YOU ARE COMMITING A CRIME YOU ARE A CRIMINAL!
we have more tham 10 million people do we need a criminal to be our democracy leader?
stop fooling your mother!
This is real political game, I think, that Hun Sen must kill Prince Norodom Ranariddh’s political carrier. Because of amendment of constitutional law to form a new government after national election, from 2/3 to 50% plus 1, to rule the power, so coalition between Sam Ransy and Norodom Ranariddh will be a potential weapon is able to win CPP and then we can see improvement in Cambodia. Therefore, one of them, he absolutely is Norodom Ranariddh, must be collapsed. Now it is the better chance of CPP when Kim Sokha officially announced that he gonna to form a new political party because this new party really lure Sam Ransy Party’s activists into his new party. But Kim Sokha’s action will be able to threaten CPP if Kim Sokha, Sam Ransy and Norodom Ranariddh are standing on separate ways but they are looking forward central point. But I am hopeless that this three stars can live brightly in the same time. I mean that one or two of them will become the target that must destroy.
I know the final way is Pardon..
This is the Tradition of DIRTY PRINCES...Khun, Preass , Mohessa & Khuyova -Blad Pardon
PARDON PARDON
Finally PARDON/Pardon M.
Cheyyo 1 ha 3 tons
Ranaridh is no different from Heng Pov.
"Any More Royal Pardon to Stupid princes, will lose Royal Dignity"
Only Rot Run 3 times
Mohessara 1 time
Krom Khun 1.. Times
other Criminal Ieng Sary... 1 time
Innocent People No Pardon...
1 ha 3 tons
Please Mchas Bang
LAM PA again we got least Ballot!!!
Oh Yes
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