Cambodia’s PM warns opposition activists risk rearrest if insults continue

Prime Minister Hun Sen, the ruling party's chairman, presides over the ceremony to mark 68th birthday of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party at Phnom Penh’s Koh Pich Island, Cambodia, June 28, 2019. (Aun Chhengpor/VOA Khmer). Sketched by the Pan Pacific Agency.

PHNOM PENH, Nov 16, 2019, The Khmer Times. Prime Minister Hun Sen today warned put opposition activists recently released on bail o notice that they will be arrested if they continue to insult or act against the government, The Khmer Times reported.

Speaking at a groundbreaking ceremony of road constructions in Sihanoukville province, Mr Hun Sen said some critics claimed that the release of 72 opposition activists who were jailed for colluding with Sam Rainsy to stage a coup was made because of pressure from the international community.

Mr Hun Sen said Cambodia will not exchange national sovereignty with foreign aids, adding that opposition activists were released on bail in order to unite the nation and maintain security and peace because these people were actually misled.

“They dare to say I made the decision because of pressure. Believe or not! In just three days, we will have all of them arrested again. For security reason, these people will be arrested once again and detained in jails,” Mr Hun Sen said. “Then the court must speed up the cases and let them serve jails across the country.”

The premier said that these 72 opposition activists are now placed under court supervision pending investigation, and the authorities will have them arrested and jailed if any of them continue to insult or attack the government.

Additionally, Mr Hun Sen noted that some opposition activists who fled in Thailand are still trying to insult him and the government in order to obtain political asylum in third countries.

On Thursday, Mr Hun Sen ordered Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana to look into the possibility of releasing opposition activists, noting that they were duped by Rainsy and his colleagues to stage a coup on November 9.

Mr Hun Sen also called on the opposition supporters who fled overseas in fear of being arrested to return to the Kingdom, assuring them that they will be safe.

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