Cambodia: Foreign diplomats expressed concern over a 27-year prison sentence given to the opposition leader of Cambodia Mr. Kem Sokha after his conviction for treason in what was described as a highly politicised trial, prompting the government to accuse Western nations of political interference and arrogance.

Mr. Kem Sokha, the 69-year-old co-founder of the nation’s now-banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was found guilty of putting together a covert scheme in cooperation with foreign organisations to depose Prime Minister Mr. Hun Sen, who has ruled Cambodia with an iron fist for nearly 40 years. Mr. Kem Sokha disputed the accusations.

Following the sentencing, the United Nations, European Union, Canada, France, Australia, and the United Kingdom all expressed their concerns. Analysts see Mr. Kem Sokha’s treatment as a sign of Cambodia’s stifled democracy ahead of elections that appear to be returning Mr. Hun Sen’s ruling party to power for another five years due to repression of the political opposition.

Mr. Kem Sokha was immediately placed under house arrest and forbidden from communicating with anyone save his family. Mr.  Kem Sokha’s daughter Ms. Kem Monovithya stated that his parents’ phone and internet services had been turned off and that security cameras had been set up in front of his home in Phnom Penh.

Human rights organisations claim that Mr. Hun Sen, one of the world’s longest-serving heads of state, has methodically destroyed Cambodia’s political opposition, undermined democratic freedoms guaranteed by the constitution, and utilised the country’s courts to silence his detractors and critics.

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