By Kong Sothanarith
Cambodge Soir
Translated from French by Luc Sâr
Click here to read the original Cambodge Soir article in French
Politicians and observers alike said that they are worried about the 18-month sentence handed to Prince Ranariddh on the eve of the commune election. Some see in this verdict a political pressure.
The day after Prince Ranariddh’s 18-month jail sentence by the Phnom Penh municipal court, worries dominate the feelings of political leaders and observers alike.
“This shows to both the national and international public that the ruling party uses the court against its political foes,” Prince Thomico, president the Sankum Jatiniyum Front Party, said. “Now, it’s Prince Ranariddh, next time, it will be me because we are representing an open opposition against the government.” Prince Thomico went on to stress that “the court does not have sufficient proof” to justify such sentence. “All the Cambodian people are worried [about the political evolution in Cambodia]. All these events stir up instability and insecurity,” Prince Thomico added.
On his part, Sam Rainsy hesitates between criticizing the fault of the former president of the National Assembly and the sentence. “Prince Ranariddh is not a saint who would be 100% innocent in the corruption affairs within his [former] party. But numerous officials working in the current administration are also corrupt. “Why are they not judged? That’s not fair. That’s because our court [system] is not independent. If it is not corrupt, it is at least under political pressure,” Sam Rainsy said. The SRP leader was himself sentenced earlier to 18-month jail term before being pardoned by the king. Norodom Ranariddh received the same sentence, but he was also ordered to pay $150,000 in damage compensation to the Funcinpec, following the complaint brought by Nhiek Bun Chhay for breach of trust in the sale of the party’s headquarters.
In an interview given to Radio France International, Prince Ranariddh who is currently overseas, said that he is not surprised by the sentence and that he considers it as “an attempt by Hun Sen to destabilize [him] politically, through the court system, just like in 1997.” “This tactics is aimed at preventing me from participating in the 2007 and 2008 elections,” the Prince told RFI.
Similarly, during a press conference held yesterday, the Comfrel NGO considers the sentence handed to Prince Ranariddh “who is suffering from Hun Sen’s power grip,” “is becoming a political issue preventing Prince Ranariddh from participating in the electoral campaign.”
“We are questioning the independence of the court which handed down this sentence to coincide with the [commune] election. This creates difficulties for some political parties while leaving others to continue on their activities freely,” Kek Galabru, President of the Licadho NGO, stressed.
Khieu Kanharith, the Minister of Information and CPP spokesman, rejected the various criticisms of various observers. “Which points did they base on to dare say that this sentence is political? Is it only because it involves Prince Ranariddh that they are so worried about? They demanded the application and the respect of the law. Well, now, we are acting according to the law,” Khieu Kanharith reacted.
Yesterday, a CTN TV reporter provided details on the attempt of reconciliation to patch up Ranariddh and Hun Sen in this affair. According to the reporter, the prince’s attitude led to the failure of this reconciliation attempt.
3 comments:
It is NO DPUBT that shows to both the national and international public that the ruling party uses the court against its political foes.
It is NO DOUBT that are the tricks of Hun Sen :
- He divides our Funcipec party as he did it in 1997 in order to weaken Funcipec party
- He assasinated the activists of Funcipec party and others parties. Hun Sen is criminal against humanity
http://hengpoev.alkablog.com
- More and more
Despite of the tricks of Hun Sen(chief of criminals against humanity in Cambodia), our Norodom Ranaridh party always goes ahead, stronger and stronger
NO DOUBT that CPP (Communist Pro youn party) lead by Hun Sen, is the communist party (dictator party,criminal party, barbarian party)
http://coupof56july.alkablog.com
Norodom Ranaridh party always does ahead !!!
You stupid dob! all of you !
If big powerfull guy get in trouble, is political, unjustice my bud!
If we small people being killed, rob, take away home, go to jail for nothing is ok, just fucking corruption!
Hun Xen go to jail will be war, Go to hell you all prince or shit head!
Small fuckup guy
Worries is good thinks, but does
NR sold FUNCINPEC H/Q as they accused without agreement from their member? If he was clean, there is no cases to talk at court.
This is a message to future leaders
Do not get your hand dirty with oil
and grease is hard to clean. A Problem come to a person by own creation. Nothing is fair in world
Want to stay out from problem, just do the wright things.
Bati
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