SRP lawyer’s take different on ‘jail break’

Monday, 26 December 2011
May Titthara
The Phnom Penh Post

Opposition Sam Rainsy Party lawyer Choung Chougy yesterday denied allegations lodged against him by Kandal provincial authorities that he had helped his client escape from prison earlier this year.

The lawyer said that he helped facilitate the release of his client, Banteay Dek commune chief Meas Peng, on September 23 after the villager had been arrested for incitement in Kien Svay district.

Choung Chougy said that Meas Peng had been illegally detained without an arrest warrant, and after explaining this to the prison director, Muong Sam Ath, the commune chief was released.

However, last week, speaking to local media outlets, Muong Sam Ath accused Meas Peng of escaping from prison and Choung Chougy of engineering the getaway. And earlier this month, the National Assembly suspended the immunity of SRP lawmaker Chan Cheng in order for him to respond to questioning about Meas Peng’s alleged escape, at the urging of Kandal provincial prosecutor Ouk Kimseth.

Opposition activists arrested for distributing leaflets calling for a demonstration

Friday, April 04, 2008
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

Three SRP party activists were arrested by the authority when they were distributing leaflets calling people to join the demonstration which will be held on 06 April. The Daun Penh authority arrested these SRP activists on Thursday morning while they were distributing the leaflets, and it also confiscated 400 leaflets. SRP MP Yim Sovann intervened for the release of his party activists, and the trio was released after they promised not to distribute leaflets anymore. Yim Sovann told reporters that holding a demonstration is not illegal, and it is the people’s right. He said that the arrest of SRP activists who were distributing leaflets as a violation of the people’s right.