MOJ orders court to take action against Rainsy

Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy is accused of insulting the King. KT/Mai Vireak

The Justice Minister has ordered Phnom Penh Municipal Court to take legal action against former opposition leader Sam Rainsy for accusing King Norodom Sihamoni of issuing an election letter under duress.

Justice Minister Ang Vong Vathana on Friday ordered a prosecutor at the municipal court to take legal measures against Mr Rainsy, who is accused of defaming the King, according to Ministry spokesman Kim Santepheap.

“Minister Vathana ordered a prosecutor at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to take legal action against Mr Rainsy for insulting the King,” Mr Sentepheap said. “He violated the constitution and seriously insulted the King.”

Mr Santepheap noted that Mr Rainsy will be prosecuted according to a recently passed amendment that has criminalised insulting the King, for which those found guilty face one to five years in jail with a hefty fine of up to $12,500.

Mr Rainsy took to Facebook on Thursday to demonise the election letter, which encouraged people to vote, claiming that the King either issued it under duress or that it was a fake.

The Ministry of Royal Palace issued a statement on Friday flatly denying the accusations.

“The Ministry of Royal Palace would like to announce to the public that the King’s letter is authentic and was not made under duress,” the statement said.

Meanwhile, two political parties, the Cambodian Nationality Party and Cambodian Youth Party, also called on the court to take action against Mr Rainsy for damaging the King’s honour.

“I am absolutely against Mr Rainsy for seriously insulting the King when he claimed the King’s letter is fake,” CYP president Pich Sros said.

Prime Minister Hun Sen last week criticised Mr Rainsy, saying that the former opposition leader’s allegation did not only defame the King, but was also an attempt to undermine the King’s wishes for a high voter turnout on July 29.

Court spokesman Ly Sophanna could not be reached for comment yesterday.

In February, the National Assembly unanimously passed a law that outlaws insulting the royal family.

Last month, a school teacher in Kampong Thom province and a barber in Siem Reap province were arrested and charged for allegedly insulting the King on social media.

Khmer Times
Khuon Narim