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Another defamation conviction upheld against Cambodian ex-opposition leader Sam Rainsy

Thy Sovantha speaks to the press outside the Phnom Penh Municipal Court last year, after raising her damage claim against Rainsy to $500,000. Hong Menea

Kim Sarom | The Phnom Penh Post 
Publication date 06 March 2018 | 16:52 ICT

The Appeal Court today upheld yet another conviction against former opposition leader Sam Rainsy, this one for claiming Prime Minister Hun Sen bribed pro-government social media activist Thy Sovantha.

Rainsy made the accusation in France in January of last year, after messages allegedly between the premier and Sovantha were leaked to her Facebook page in November. The messages dealt with undermining the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, with the prime minister allegedly calling Sovantha “grandchild” and offering her $1 million to fund her activities.

Sovantha, a former Cambodia National Rescue Party activist who abruptly converted to the ruling Cambodian People's Party in recent years, claimed the messages were fabricated and her Facebook page was hacked.

Rainsy was found guilty of defamation in absentia in December, and ordered to pay $1 million to the prime minister, and an additional fine of $2,600 to the state.

“After discussion, the council of judges understood that what Sam Rainsy said during the public forum in France is the same as the accusation from the civil plaintiff,” Presiding Judge In Vannvibol said.

He added that the comments “affected the dignity and reputation of the Prime Minister locally and overseas”.

The case is one of at least eight currently hanging over the self-exiled political figure since a prior round of pardons in 2013. He has lived abroad to avoid imprisonment since 2015.

A similar but separate lawsuit has been filed by Sovantha, who is demanding $500,000 in compensation.

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