Written by Meas Sokchea
The Phnom Penh Post
A SAM Rainsy Party spokesman said Monday that lawmaker Ho Vann's decision to leave Cambodia was not made out of fear that he would be prosecuted for defamation and disinformation.
Yim Sovann told the Post that Ho Vann, who flew to the US on Friday, had planned to leave the country long before his parliamentary immunity was stripped by the National Assembly on June 22.
"He did not flee," Yim Sovann said. "There is nothing to be scared of."
He said Ho Vann would visit family in the US before travelling to Italy for a conference hosted by the UN Development Programme.
"I will also fly to participate in that mission," Yim Sovann said, adding that he did not know when Ho Vann would return to Cambodia.
Ho Vann has been sued for defamation and disinformation by 22 senior army officials who charged that he denigrated the quality of academic degrees they received from a Vietnamese military institute in an interview with a local newspaper. Ho Vann has said he was misquoted by the newspaper.
Senior Cambodian People's Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap said Monday that Ho Vann would have his immunity restored if the court found him not guilty of defamation and disinformation.
Mu Sochua still abroad
Mu Sochua, the other SRP lawmaker whose parliamentary immunity also was stripped by the National Assembly on June 22, travelled to the US that same day. She told the Post that she would return to Cambodia on July 6.
Mu Sochua faces defamation charges stemming from a speech given by Prime Minister Hun Sen on April 4 in Kampot province. She filed a defamation lawsuit against the premier, alleging that he had defamed her in the speech. Hun Sen then filed a defamation suit against her, arguing that she had defamed him by saying the comments in the speech about an unnamed woman referred to her.
Yim Sovann told the Post that Ho Vann, who flew to the US on Friday, had planned to leave the country long before his parliamentary immunity was stripped by the National Assembly on June 22.
"He did not flee," Yim Sovann said. "There is nothing to be scared of."
He said Ho Vann would visit family in the US before travelling to Italy for a conference hosted by the UN Development Programme.
"I will also fly to participate in that mission," Yim Sovann said, adding that he did not know when Ho Vann would return to Cambodia.
Ho Vann has been sued for defamation and disinformation by 22 senior army officials who charged that he denigrated the quality of academic degrees they received from a Vietnamese military institute in an interview with a local newspaper. Ho Vann has said he was misquoted by the newspaper.
Senior Cambodian People's Party lawmaker Cheam Yeap said Monday that Ho Vann would have his immunity restored if the court found him not guilty of defamation and disinformation.
Mu Sochua still abroad
Mu Sochua, the other SRP lawmaker whose parliamentary immunity also was stripped by the National Assembly on June 22, travelled to the US that same day. She told the Post that she would return to Cambodia on July 6.
Mu Sochua faces defamation charges stemming from a speech given by Prime Minister Hun Sen on April 4 in Kampot province. She filed a defamation lawsuit against the premier, alleging that he had defamed her in the speech. Hun Sen then filed a defamation suit against her, arguing that she had defamed him by saying the comments in the speech about an unnamed woman referred to her.
3 comments:
this is why most khmer people in cambodia don't like to see, an escaape to the outside world when they failed to solve problem in cambodia. maybe the outside world should question these self-proclaim politicians from take refuge in say the usa, europe, etc and stay in cambodia to help solve problems and help make country a better place. when you keep running away everytime when there is a problem, you are not really help finding the solution, you are really creating more problem, really. i think that kind of cowardly act should change in this new era of cambodian peace and prosperity. maybe these political are just trying to secure their own position in gov't by doing whatever they can to sabotage or compromise peace, stability, prosperity at the expense of the ordinary cambodia people who otherwise live and conduct live in cambodia. because, really, what they have to lose by escaping to another country during unsolving crisis? i say it a matter of old and perhaps bad habit as well die hard. some individuals aren't very patient at that.
if u not smart enough...they will kill you and then what....you help them or you also run....want an answer...as pol pot and his friend......kamaraddddd
12;10AM
Claiming that i quote"new era of peace and prosperity" whether it happens to be true or not?.
I would agree that those in public sectors,police,army,administration at all levels and those buissiness people who work closely with these hiarhachy,by corruptive acts in selling natural resources and lands and avoiding taxes and exploitation of international fundings resulted in more strict guidline by donors.
Those young girls who came to live in p.penh and work in garmet factories are struggling,some have to work in night club,kareoke to top up their needs on basic living.
Moto Dups are facing more difficulties with less activities resulted of economic crisis.
Cheap labors at $2.50 a day continues with no guarranty of their well being.
Most of farmers are now facing with land degradation,and chemical nutrients become necessary for better yield to meet family demands.The fact is most of the land are bought by riches,and subsequently they have to leave to border and Thailand looking for work.
Many young adults are still affected by drugs in cambodia, and children were abondoned and some were lucky enough to be under care of many NGOs and orphanages.
Abuse of public power continues, recently journalist is again handed down the guilty decision, by phnom penh puppet court,in absentia.journalist was arrested and jailed for their commitment to their work obligation, unfortunately perceived that as an act against govt.
Obviously the powerful individuals again and again have abused the public TRUST.
These are suppression and oppression.
Please try to put yourself in same circumstances with your eyes closed,ignoring all the excitement out there.
Thosewho are struggling never have peace,and not to mention about properity as you claimed.
Neang SA
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