02 October 2007By Kim Pov Sottan
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Prince Norodom Sirivudh, the former Funcinpec party secretary-general who is an important witness in the sale of this party headquarters, rejected his participation in the court case hearing by the appeal court, one day prior to the set date which is Wednesday. The court case is planned to resolve the differences involved in the sale of the Funcinpec party headquarters.
Sao Vita, the defense lawyer of Prince Sirivudh, declared that the prince is completing a mission overseas, and that his absence does not affect the search for justice by the court because the prince asked that the court preserves all his previous declarations.
Sao Vita said: “At the Phnom Penh municipal court, he answered clearly and in detail. He said that prior to the sale, there was a two-day party congress held at the Olympic Stadium. And after the sale, some of the proceeds were used to buy the land for the new Funcinpec party headquarters, but for the remainder of the proceeds, he does not know how they were divvy up.”
The appeal court case hearing is planned for Wednesday, after Prince Ranariddh appealed the sentence issued by the Phnom Penh municipal court which made him the losing party, and Nhiek Bun Chhay, the winner of the lawsuit.
Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said that the absence of the witness will reflect on the quest for justice, even though the NRP was able to gather additional helpful proofs showing that Prince Ranariddh was clean.
Muth Chantha said: “In reality, we know that he (Norodom Sirivudh) was involved in this case since 2004, after his resignation from the position of Funcinpec secretary-general. Therefore, his absence is a bad thing, and it will also lighten the weight of our proofs at the court. However, we hope that the NRP, and Prince Ranariddh, in particular, will win the case, as long as the appeal court respects the law.”
The appeal case launched by Prince Ranariddh led the Funcinpec party to reveal that it is ending all arrangements it made with Prince Ranariddh.
Nouv Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, stressed that there is no more negotiation to provide a path for the prince to return and participate in the upcoming election.
Last year, the Phnom Penh municipal court sentenced Prince Ranariddh for breach of trust in the corruption involved in the sale of the Funcinpec party headquarters. The prince was sentenced to 18-month of jail, in addition to a fine.
This court case has been criticized by civil society organizations which consider it as a game played by Cambodian politicians to break one another.
Sao Vita, the defense lawyer of Prince Sirivudh, declared that the prince is completing a mission overseas, and that his absence does not affect the search for justice by the court because the prince asked that the court preserves all his previous declarations.
Sao Vita said: “At the Phnom Penh municipal court, he answered clearly and in detail. He said that prior to the sale, there was a two-day party congress held at the Olympic Stadium. And after the sale, some of the proceeds were used to buy the land for the new Funcinpec party headquarters, but for the remainder of the proceeds, he does not know how they were divvy up.”
The appeal court case hearing is planned for Wednesday, after Prince Ranariddh appealed the sentence issued by the Phnom Penh municipal court which made him the losing party, and Nhiek Bun Chhay, the winner of the lawsuit.
Muth Chantha, NRP spokesman, said that the absence of the witness will reflect on the quest for justice, even though the NRP was able to gather additional helpful proofs showing that Prince Ranariddh was clean.
Muth Chantha said: “In reality, we know that he (Norodom Sirivudh) was involved in this case since 2004, after his resignation from the position of Funcinpec secretary-general. Therefore, his absence is a bad thing, and it will also lighten the weight of our proofs at the court. However, we hope that the NRP, and Prince Ranariddh, in particular, will win the case, as long as the appeal court respects the law.”
The appeal case launched by Prince Ranariddh led the Funcinpec party to reveal that it is ending all arrangements it made with Prince Ranariddh.
Nouv Sovathero, Funcinpec spokesman, stressed that there is no more negotiation to provide a path for the prince to return and participate in the upcoming election.
Last year, the Phnom Penh municipal court sentenced Prince Ranariddh for breach of trust in the corruption involved in the sale of the Funcinpec party headquarters. The prince was sentenced to 18-month of jail, in addition to a fine.
This court case has been criticized by civil society organizations which consider it as a game played by Cambodian politicians to break one another.
