Exiled opposition official asks Hun Manet to help clear 2022 charges — Radio Free Asia
A former opposition party lawmaker now living in Canada has asked Prime Minister Hun Manet to intervene in his case and ask prosecutors to drop criminal charges so that he can return to Cambodia to visit his ailing parents.
Hun Manet responded to Kong Saphea’s plea on Thursday, saying on Facebook that he would work on a solution.
The prime minister also posted an image of a letter sent by Kong Saphea in February in which the former lawmaker expressed regret for his past actions against the government.
“For Kong Saphea. I’ve received your apology letter,” Hun Manet wrote. “I welcome you. I will manage according to our procedures so that you can return to Cambodia. I do hope that I will have an opportunity to meet and talk in the future.”
Kong Saphea was among a group of 60 officials and activists from the Cambodia National Rescue Party, or CNRP, who were sentenced to prison in 2022 after they were found guilty of plotting to overthrow the government.
The charges were widely condemned as politically motivated, and Cambodia’s judiciary continues to be criticized for its lack of independence.
In 2017, the CNRP was dissolved by Cambodia’s Supreme Court in a decision that paved the way for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, or CPP, to win all 125 seats in the 2018 election.
Kong Saphea moved to Canada before the 2022 conviction. His letter in February was addressed to Hun Manet and former Prime Minister Hun Sen and requested a pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni for the 2022 conviction.
“I’m not defecting to the CPP, but I wrote the statement requesting a pardon because I want to get a chance to take care of my elderly parents in Cambodia,” he wrote in an email to Radio Free Asia on Thursday.
Hun Manet took over as prime minister in August, after his father – Hun Sen – stepped down after decades in power.
Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed.
Related articles
- Kid Rock wielded a gun, hurled racial slurs, and instigated a physical altercation with a reporter,2024-05-21
Chinese FM mourns passing of renowned Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa
The Chinese Foreign Ministry on Monday expressed condolences in response to the recent passing of re2024-05-21The main forum of Global Digital Economy Conference 2023 Lhasa Summit was held
Beijing, July 6 (Youth.cn) -On July 4th, 2023, the Global Digital Economy Conference 2023 Lhasa Summ2024-05-21Panda program continues to boost China
China will send another pair of young giant pandas to Spain after the present panda family returns,2024-05-21Target to lower prices on basic goods in response to inflation
Target plans to cut prices on thousands of consumer basics this summer, from diapers to milk, as inf2024-05-21FM highlights positive signs in EU relations
Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who recently concluded his six-day tour of Europe, drew the attention of o2024-05-21
atest comment