Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Demonstrators Gather Ahead of Supreme Court Hearing on Jailed Activist


Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer, 20 November 2013

PHNOM PENH - Housing rights activists demonstrated outside the Supreme Court on Tuesday, four days before judges there will decide on the case of Yorm Bopha, an activist whose supporters say she is being held without proper evidence.

Demonstrators burned some 100 arrest warrants already issued by the investigating judge, Te Sam Ang, who ordered the arrest of Yorm Bopha, 29, in August 2012.

“I think the Supreme Court will find a measure to help her,” activist representative Tep Vanny told VOA Khmer.

The court will hold a hearing on her case on Friday.

The Court of Appeals in June upheld a lower court’s decision, finding her guilty of charges related to an attack on two motorcycle taxi drivers, charges her defenders say were made on weak evidence and in an apparent attempt to curb demonstrations by housing rights activists.

If the Supreme Court upholds the ruling, Yorm Bopha could remain in jail through September 2014.

Yorm Bopha’s husband, Lous Sakhon, said that he believes his wife is innocent and that she will be released soon.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Don't let her escape...JAIL MORE.