Cambodia's Appeal Court rejects opposition leader's bail request

Source: Xinhua| 2017-09-26 15:33:33|Editor: ying
Video PlayerClose

PHNOM PENH, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Appeal Court of Cambodia on Tuesday rejected a bail request for opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested earlier this month on the charges of "treason," a court spokesman said.

"Appeal Court's Judge Khun Leang Meng announced that the Phnom Penh Municipal Court's pre-trial detention verdict against Kem Sokha is correct, so he decided to uphold the verdict," Appeal Court spokesman Touch Tharith told Xinhua after a half-day bail hearing.

Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP)'s president Kem Sokha, being detained at the Trapaing Thlong Prison in eastern Tboung Khmum province, was not taken to the court for the hearing due to security and safety concerns.

Sam Sokong, lead lawyer for Kem Sokha, said a group of six lawyers for the opposition leader had boycotted the court proceedings, claiming that the hearing without his client's presence was a serious violation of the rights of the accused.

During the court proceedings, several opposition lawmakers and dozens of their activists rallied outside the courthouse to call for Kem Sokha's release, as hundreds of anti-riot police had been deployed around the courthouse, which was fortified by metal barricades.

Kem Sokha, 64, was arrested on Sept. 3 at his home in Phnom Penh for allegedly plotting the overthrow of the government with the United States support. He was accused of treason, the charge that could face between 15 and 30 years in prison.

TOP STORIES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
MOST VIEWED
EXPLORE XINHUANET
010020070750000000000000011100001366395731