KNLF, CNRM accused of disrupting election

Khmer Times
Khuon Narim

A screen grab from the video that detailed an attempt to overthrow the government. PQRU

The Council of Minister’s Press and Quick Reaction Unit yesterday released a video accusing the Khmer National Liberation Front, branded a terrorist organisation by Prime Minister Hun Sen, of colluding with former opposition leader Sam Rainsy in a plot to overthrow the government.

Tith Sothea, spokesman for the unit, said the unit was obliged to compile and produce documents related to the KNLF and its president Sam Serey because the group attempted to topple the government and the public must be informed.

Prime Minister Hun Sen said on April 10 that Mr Serey ordered his members to cause an explosion at Wat Phnom in the capital on April 12, two days before the Khmer New Year.

Mr Hun Sen said that Mr Serey ordered his members in Cambodia to set off explosives in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province, noting that the plot was discovered and prevented.

Mr Sothea said the KNLF was also colluding with the now-dissolved CNRP, which was accused of attempting to overthrow the government through a colour revolution prior to being disbanded in the wake of its leader Kem Sokha being jailed on treason charges.

“It is very necessary for us to explain what happened for the public to understand the danger posed by this group,” Mr Sothea said. “People will get real information from the government when we disseminate real news and prevent fake news from happening in society.”

“He [Mr Serey] also colluded with the Cambodia National Rescue Movement,” Mr Sothea added.

KNLF president Sam Serey. PQRU

The CNRM was created by former opposition leader Mr Rainsy after the CNRP was dissolved and has also been branded a terrorist group by Mr Hun Sen.

The 18-minute video about the KNLF accused Mr Serey, who now lives in Denmark, of colluding with Mr Rainsy to disrupt the upcoming national election with support from foreign countries in a plot to overthrow the government.

The video also accused the KNLF of leading demonstrations and burning Vietnamese flags near the Vietnamese embassy in Phnom Penh.

Mr Serey flatly denied that his KNLF was involved in any insurrection.

“I have no plan to commit any violence or to overthrow the government as they accuse me. I have worked peacefully based on the international law and universal declaration of human rights,” Mr Serey said. “They themselves want to create an event and fabricate the evidence to cause a deep political crisis.”

“They released the video now because they want to confuse the public and do not want Cambodian people to support me because we are real democrats,” he added.

Mr Serey, who was sentenced in absentia to nine years in prison for allegedly trying to topple the government, has established a government-in-exile in Denmark.

However, Denmark has confirmed that they do not recognise any other government than the Cambodian government in Phnom Penh.

Since 2014, about 20 KNLF members have been convicted after being found guilty of plotting to topple the government and inciting people to protest against the government. Each was sentenced to between one and ten years in jail.