City
Epaper

Cambodian opposition leader freed from house arrest

By IANS | Updated: November 10, 2019 10:20 IST

Kem Sokha, a Cambodian opposition leader, was on Sunday released from house arrest more than two years after he was first detained, according to a Phnom Penh court.

Open in App

Sokha's release comes a day after fellow Cambodian National Rescue Party co-founder Sam Rainsy landed in Malaysia from self-imposed exile in Paris as part of his attempt to return to Cambodia, reports Efe news.

Sokha was released under conditions that he does not leave the country, does not engage in politics and must respond to any summons, Phnom Penh Municipal Court said in a statement.

He was arrested for treason on September 4, 2017 in a move widely seen as being politically motivated. After a year in pre-trial detention, he was released on bail last September and placed under house arrest.

Rainsy had long promised his return to Cambodia on Saturday, the country's Independence Day, but said he was denied boarding a Thai Airways flight from Paris to Bangkok on Thursday.

After his arrival in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, MP Nurul Izzah invited Rainsy to a meeting in Malaysian parliament on Tuesday, but it is not known if he has accepted.

Cambodian authorities had on Saturday reinforced security along its border with military personnel, barbed wire and security controls.

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng denied on Facebook that the opposition leader was not allowed to return, saying Rainsy and his colleagues may re-enter Cambodia but will face justice if they do so.

( With inputs from IANS )

Tags: Sam RainsyCambodiaSokhaMalaysiaparis
Open in App

Related Stories

CricketAbhigyan Kundu Scores 209 as India Register Massive 315-Run Win Over Malaysia in ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 Clash (VIDEO)

CricketIND U19 vs MLY U19 LIVE Cricket Streaming: When and Where to Watch India vs Malaysia ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup 2025 Match

CricketACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2025 Points Table: Updated Standings After Nepal U-19 vs Bangladesh U-19 Match

CricketACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2025 Points Table: Updated Standings After India vs Pakistan Match

CricketACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup 2025 Points Table: Updated Standings After Afghanistan vs Bangladesh Match

International Realted Stories

InternationalProtests continue in Dhaka, partially demolished house of Sheikh Mujibur vandalised

International"Rich and powerful men will be held accountable," says US representative Ro Khanna ahead of Epstein files release

InternationalSuspect in killings at elite US institutions commited suicide: Officials  

InternationalNorth Korean troops crossed inter-Korean land border 10 times in November: Lawmaker

InternationalViolence erupts in Bangladesh after death of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi