Analysts Say, 9th November Repatriation Event is a Good Gift for Hun Sen to Tear Sam Rainsy-Kem Sokha Alliance

The analyst overseas claims that the trial of Sam Rainsy, and eight other senior officials close to Sam Rainsy resulting in 20 to 25 years in prison and deprivation of the right to vote and run for the election was due to the hot political message during the event on November 9th 2019 [when Sam Rainsy attempted to return to Cambodia from exile].

Political analyst and deputy chairman of the Student Movement for Democracy, Kim Sok, wrote on his personal Facebook account on March 2nd that the trial of Sam Rainsy and his senior officials was a clear demonstration that the game of repatriation on 9th November 2019 is a complete gift for Mr. Hun Sen to use this excuse to separate the “Sam Rainsy – Kem Sokha” alliance or tear up the CNRP.

The tearing is far more effective than the previous theory from the opposition party “Sam Rainsy and Kem Sokha is one,” as the election draws closer.

Mr. Kim Sok claims that he does not support the game of repatriation on November 9th 2019 by Mr. Sam Rainsy’s group, which uses the political message “enter to arrest, enter to tie up, and enter to overthrow Hun Sen, etc., because he sees that it is a playful political campaign, bringing bigger consequences and dangers to the CNRP.

The claim comes after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court announced the sentencing of Sam Rainsy and eight of his senior leaders on March 1st, 2021 for treason or attempt to overthrow the government through repatriation plans dated November 9th, 2019.

This verdict sentenced Sam Rainsy to 25 years in prison. Separately, Mu Sochua and Eng Chay Eang were sentenced to 22 years in prison. Mr. Sam Rainsy’s wife, Ms. Chulong Somura, Mr. Men Sothavarin, Mr. Ho Van, Mr. Ou Chanrith, Mr. Long Ry, and Mr. Nuth Rumduol were sentenced to 20 years in prison.

In addition to imprisonment, the nine opposition leaders who are living abroad have been stripped of some citizenship rights, including the right to vote and the right to stand for election. In addition, they have to pay a combined of 1,800 million Riels or more than 440,000 dollars to the state budget.

In connection with this political verdict, the European Union on 2nd March issued a statement reiterating its call for the Cambodian authorities to resume national reconciliation through a genuine dialogue between the ruling party and the CNRP.

In that statement, an EU spokesman noted that the court had tried the nine opposition leaders, all of whom were unable to return to attend the trial at the court. Such a sentence is considered by Europe to be a complete procedural violation. At the same time, Europe urges the Cambodian authorities to ensure that the right to participate in political life and basic rights such as expression, assembly, etc. are fully respected.

This article originally was published in Khmer language by the Cambodia Daily at:

https://www.cambodiadaily.com/2021/03/06/23/06/52362/