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Author's right of the image
Reuters
Kem Sokha was once a serious challenge for the ruling party
Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha was unexpectedly released from prison where he was awaiting trial for treason.
Kem Sokha has been released on bail and it is unclear whether the charges against him will be dropped.
He was arrested in 2017 in a case widely regarded as politically motivated.
His party was dissolved later and, without political opposition, the ruling party won a landslide victory earlier this year.
The crackdown on the opposition sparked international condemnation and threats of withdrawal from the country's aid.
- When the UN ran a country
- Imprisoned for resisting a strong man
Kem Sokha was accused of colluding with the United States to conspire against the Cambodian government. If he was found guilty, he would have been sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Human Rights Watch called on Cambodia to drop accusations against Kem Sokha unconditionally and to reverse the dissolution of his party.
"There has been no justice done here, just the temporary release of an opposition political leader that prosecutors could undo at any time," said Monday the deputy director of the 39, rights group Asia, Phil Robertson.
"Despite the excitement associated with the publication of today, we are still far from a true restoration of democracy and respect for human rights in Cambodia.
Threats of sanctions
Kem Sokha was head of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, considered the only candidate for the ruling party headed by the strong man Hun Sen, in power for more than 30 years.
The party was banned in November 2017, allowing the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) to win all seats in the July 2018 general election, making Cambodia a de facto one-party state.
Author's right of the image
Nicolas Axelrod / Getty Images
Prime Minister Hun Sen wins another overwhelming victory
Western countries and human rights organizations have described his arrest as arbitrary, calling for his release.
After the July elections, the EU said it was considering economic sanctions, while the US said it was considering imposing visa restrictions on government officials.
Hun Sen, a former Khmer Rouge regime soldier who subsequently opposed it, has been in power since 1985. He was installed by Vietnamese forces after ousting the genocidal regime.
He presided over a prolonged period of rapid economic growth, but he has long been accused of using the courts and security forces to crush dissent and intimidate critics.
