Phnom Penh - Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha was arrested early Sunday accused of treason, the government said in a statement, the latest in a flurry of legal cases lodged against critics and rivals of strongman premier Hun Sen.
His surprise arrest raises the stakes as
Hun Sen's political opponents, NGOs and the critical press are
smothered by court cases and threats ahead of a crunch general election
next year.
Hun Sen is determined to extend his three decade rule and withstand
the burgeoning popularity of the main opposition Cambodia National
Rescue Party (CNRP).
The government statement alleged "a secret plan of conspiracy between
Kem Sokha, his group, and foreigners that harms Cambodia," adding he
was arrested early Sunday.
"The above secret conspiracy is the act of treason," the statement said, without giving further details of the alleged crime.
Kem Sokha is the leader of the CNRP which has been battered by court cases, bans and threats against its key figures.
He was handcuffed and "taken away by 100-200 police without warrant
after they raided his home," his daughter Kem Monovithya said in a
Twitter post.
On Saturday night, a pro-government website -- Fresh News -- alleged
that Kem Sokha had discussed overthrowing Hun Sen with support from the
United States.
It did not provide any evidence for the claim.
Last week the US expressed "deep concern" over the state of
Cambodia's democracy after the government there ordered out an American
NGO and pursued a crackdown on independent media.
Among the media in the firing line is the well respected Cambodia Daily, which often criticizes the government.
It faces closure on Monday if it fails to pay a $6.3 million tax
bill, a threat it says is a political move to muzzle its critical
reporting.
Source - TheNation
