AFP
PHNOM PENH — Cambodian opposition lawmakers have asked the king to pardon their exiled leader after he lost a final appeal against a two-year jail sentence, according to a letter seen by AFP on Monday.
Sam Rainsy, who has been living in France, was handed the prison term in his absence last year for inciting racial discrimination and uprooting border markings with neighbouring Vietnam in 2009.
His lawyer said the case was politically motivated, but after exhausting his appeals against the verdict, the outspoken politician was stripped of his parliamentary seat last week.
In a letter dated March 18, Sam Rainsy Party MPs urged King Norodom Sihamoni "to pardon Sam Rainsy... so that he can continue his role as a representative of the Cambodian people and fulfil his duties to serve the nation."
"The absence of Sam Rainsy in the leadership of the second biggest political party in the kingdom of Cambodia will affect the development of a democratic and multi-party system," they wrote.
Sam Rainsy faces a total of 12 years in prison if he returns to Cambodia, after a court late last year also sentenced him to 10 years for publishing a false map of the border with Vietnam in a separate case.
The opposition party and rights groups have in the past said the convictions were an attempt to keep Sam Rainsy from taking part in Cambodia's national election in 2013.
Sam Rainsy Party spokesman Yim Sovann told AFP the lawmakers were forced to seek "intervention from the king" because their leader had been "unfairly treated" by the judiciary and the parliament.
Sam Rainsy is seen as the main rival to Prime Minister Hun Sen, 59, who has ruled the country since 1985 and has vowed to remain in power until he is 90 years old.
In Cambodia, royal pardons are usually granted following a request from the premier, but Hun Sen said in a speech earlier this year that he would not support a pardon for Sam Rainsy.
11 comments:
Sam Rainsy is seen as the main rival to Prime Minister Hun Sen, 59, who has ruled the country since 1985 and has vowed to remain in power until he is 90 years old OR WHEN TOMAHAWK HITS HIS HOUSE IN TOUL KRO SANG.
This is only one thing I do not like about Sam Rainsy, he always blames king for this and that and now he is aking king for PARDON? I don't get it. I told you all the time that you need to support the king in any of what ever circumstancs are.
Sam Rainsy is realy a dickhead.
When is HUN SEN going to be next? Hun Sen has abused and terrorized Cambodian people for years and even said "he will close the door and beat the dog". What Obama said is also direct to any dictator and this included HUN SEN. Obama said Gadaffi had no mercy to the those opposing him so Obama will not stand to see this continue in Libya.
Thanks Mr. President,
To all Cambodian please rise up! The world will not stand and watch us die..
Club AS Sam Rainsy's head...vai vear tov..kap vear tov..banh vear tov ...
11:43 PM
do it to your family members first
..
Mr. Sam Rainsy is our only hero to save Cambodia from Vietnam aggression. He will be regard in our history book. The CPP is fabricating from white to Black. Mr. Sam Rainsy spoke out or opposing CPP regime because CPP let YUON took and continue to take our lands more and more so he is our hero. Instead of respecting him CPP branded him as treason. Who are the group that being charged for treason? Those images to the left of this page are those who should be charged for Kbot Jeat (Treason). They are all the betrayal to the nation and country!!
Khmer PP,
Club Ah Sam Rainsy's head...vai vear tov..kap vear tov..banh vear tov ...Komtech vear tov...Jey Yo! Long Live PM Hun Sen.
To all SRP member and supporters.Do you know hwo is the king? Who control that king? Who provide food and places to the king also king's clown? What kind action or power from that king can do? Please rethink and study more about those questions. Thank you and good luck.
Ah Sam Rainsey always betrays our people to joint to form the government with Ah Hun Sen.
He should not be pardoned. He should stay in France with his wife to do Sex, instead of betrayal politic.......
In my opinion,Sam rainsy do nothing wrong,but i don't understand why sam rainsy's party member sake for king pardon?
Sam rainsy should stay firm and strong of what he's he doing.
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