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Khmer Times/Taing Vida | Wednesday, 11 May 2016
Kem Sokha, the acting president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), yesterday ignored a summons to appear at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and instead conducted a meeting with CNRP youth at the party’s headquarters, citing his parliamentary immunity for ignoring the court.
Mr. Sokha was summoned to answer questions over a defamation suit filed by former CNRP activist Thy Sovantha, who accused him of defaming her during a recorded audio allegedly between Mr. Sokha and his alleged mistress.
Mr. Sokha’s defense lawyer Ang Odom said his client had submitted an official letter to the Municipal Court’s prosecutor on Tuesday, a day before he was ordered to appear in court.
“In the letter, we confirmed that we would not go to the court because it is not necessary,” Mr. Odom said.
Court spokesman Ly Sophana said Mr. Sokha had the right to ignore a summons, but added that the court would take further action.
Speaking to 50 young people at the CNRP headquarters yesterday, Mr. Sokha recounted a story that started in 1992, when he became a politician. He said he has consistently been confronted with a series of interferences, but said he had never shied away from them and he hoped one day Cambodians will cease to attack other Cambodians.
“Why do they strongly obstruct me?” Mr. Sokha asked. “Some folks said this is a personal matter, so why do we have to spend time, involve institutions and spend money to obstruct?
“[They] send many people to obstruct me, don’t you wonder? If it is a personal matter and Kem Sokha’s matter, maybe there is no need to spend time like this…because Kem Sokha stands for the nation, am I not? If I stand for only myself and for my family, they don’t need to do like this.”
Earlier this week, Anti-Corruption Unit head Om Yentieng said that although politicians have judicial impunity, they cannot object to measures taken by the government or the judiciary. He added that the court can accuse a politician if his impunity is suspended and said Mr. Sokha could be arrested if he ignored his summons or committed a crime.
As well as yesterday’s summons, Mr. Sokha has also been issued a summons for next week related to prostitution allegations connected to his alleged sex scandal.
Clik here to view.
Khmer Times/Taing Vida | Wednesday, 11 May 2016
Kem Sokha, the acting president of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), yesterday ignored a summons to appear at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and instead conducted a meeting with CNRP youth at the party’s headquarters, citing his parliamentary immunity for ignoring the court.
Mr. Sokha was summoned to answer questions over a defamation suit filed by former CNRP activist Thy Sovantha, who accused him of defaming her during a recorded audio allegedly between Mr. Sokha and his alleged mistress.
Mr. Sokha’s defense lawyer Ang Odom said his client had submitted an official letter to the Municipal Court’s prosecutor on Tuesday, a day before he was ordered to appear in court.
“In the letter, we confirmed that we would not go to the court because it is not necessary,” Mr. Odom said.
Court spokesman Ly Sophana said Mr. Sokha had the right to ignore a summons, but added that the court would take further action.
Speaking to 50 young people at the CNRP headquarters yesterday, Mr. Sokha recounted a story that started in 1992, when he became a politician. He said he has consistently been confronted with a series of interferences, but said he had never shied away from them and he hoped one day Cambodians will cease to attack other Cambodians.
“Why do they strongly obstruct me?” Mr. Sokha asked. “Some folks said this is a personal matter, so why do we have to spend time, involve institutions and spend money to obstruct?
“[They] send many people to obstruct me, don’t you wonder? If it is a personal matter and Kem Sokha’s matter, maybe there is no need to spend time like this…because Kem Sokha stands for the nation, am I not? If I stand for only myself and for my family, they don’t need to do like this.”
Earlier this week, Anti-Corruption Unit head Om Yentieng said that although politicians have judicial impunity, they cannot object to measures taken by the government or the judiciary. He added that the court can accuse a politician if his impunity is suspended and said Mr. Sokha could be arrested if he ignored his summons or committed a crime.
As well as yesterday’s summons, Mr. Sokha has also been issued a summons for next week related to prostitution allegations connected to his alleged sex scandal.
