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Kol Sat (right) calls for the release of her husband Kong Mas from prison, alongside other family members of detained political activists outside the Phnom Penh Appeal Court on 16 August 2022.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court this morning convicted 36 former leaders, members and supporters of the forcibly dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) of plotting under Article 453 of the Criminal Code. The former opposition activists each received sentences ranging from five to seven years in prison, with only three activists receiving suspended sentences. Political rights of 11 activists were also suspended for a period of five years.

The political activists were convicted on the basis of their Facebook posts and recorded private phone calls regarding an attempt by Mu Sochua and other former CNRP leaders to return to Cambodia in January 2021 to stand trial in a separate mass trial. Sochua was denied boarding because the Cambodian government cancelled her passport and refused to issue her a visa for her country of birth.

Eleven of the activists who are former CNRP leaders in exile were this morning sentenced to seven years in prison. The court also imposed an additional penalty at the request of the prosecution under Article 455 of the Criminal Code, ordering that they cannot vote or stand for election for five years. They are Sam Rainsy, Eng Chhai Eang, Mu Sochua, Ho Vann, Heng Dara (also known as Heng Danaro), Long Ry, Men Sothavarin, Nut Romduol, Ou Chanrith, Tioulong Saumura and Van Narith.

A further 22 members and supporters were sentenced to five years in prison. They are Ath Vichet, But Sokhunthea Thierry, Chheng Sorphorn, Chhun Van, Hay Vanna, Khan Bun Pheng, Khin Chamroeun, Khin Samorn, Khlaing Bun Lay, Kong Mas, Leng Sotheary, Long Botta, Mao Vibol, Oun Pov, Phorn Phanna, Prak Sarom, Seng Bunrong, Sor Chandeth, Sot Silat, Sum Seiha, Tor Nimol, and Voeung Samnang.

Three other defendants also received five-year sentences, with Chhun Sithy and Ngim Nheng receiving fully suspended sentences and Heng Sokleng receiving a suspended sentence reduced to time served. Sokleng had previously been in pre-trial detention before being released on bail.

Defendant Mat Vanney had been charged in the case but was acquitted this morning. Arrest and detention warrants have been issued for 30 of the activists, including those who neither are already in detention nor received suspended sentences. No reasoning was given for the judgement.

Thirty-three of the activists were tried and convicted in absentia, with the defence arguing that those abroad had not been properly summonsed. Three activists – Khan Bun Pheng, Kong Mas and Voeung Samnang – are in detention and are among those to receive a five-year sentence. They were present during the 10 trial hearings including as the judge read the verdict this morning. Bun Pheng and Mas have already spent over 700 days in prison. Samnang was granted refugee status in Thailand but arrested in Bangkok before being deported to Cambodia and imprisoned in November 2021. Their wives were present in the courtroom this morning; Samnang’s wife sobbed and briefly held her husband before guards instructed her to leave the room.

Today’s judgement is the fourth verdict in five mass trials that have been initiated against a total of 158 leaders and supporters of the former CNRP since November 2020. Many of the former activists have been defendants in multiple trials. Sixty-six of the former activists were convicted prior to today in three other mass trials on various felony and misdemeanour charges, including incitement, plotting and an attempt to attack and endanger Cambodian institutions.

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