Opposition figures in Cambodia have condemned the arrest of Sok Sunnaret, father of opposition activist Sorn Dara, calling it a politically motivated move orchestrated by Hun Sen to silence government critics.
Speaking to The Cambodia Daily on June 30, opposition lawmaker Um Sam An claimed that the drug-related charges brought against Sok Sunnaret were fabricated. He accused Hun Sen of using the judiciary as a tool to intimidate opposition voices and disrupt political dissent.
Um Sam An said the arrest was not based on legitimate legal grounds but was part of what he described as a broader strategy by Hun Sen to divide the nation and weaken national unity. He called the charges unjust and urged authorities to release Sok Sunnaret, as well as other political prisoners including opposition leader Kem Sokha.
He appealed to the Cambodian courts, which he said operate under Hun Sen’s influence, to restore the freedom of those detained and allow for inclusive political dialogue. This, he said, was essential to uniting Cambodians in facing external threats and national challenges.
The Kampong Speu Provincial Court issued a ruling earlier this month confirming that Sok Sunnaret will face trial on July 9. The charges stem from an alleged drug offense that authorities say occurred in November 2024.
Sok Sunnaret was arrested by military police on November 13 in Dak Por village, Svay Kravan commune, Chbar Morn city, near the headquarters of Military Region 4. At the time, he was reportedly driving to a scheduled meeting with the deputy commander of the region.
The following day, on November 14, the provincial court ordered his pre-trial detention on charges related to illegal drug possession. Sok Sunnaret has denied all allegations against him.
Sok Sunnaret is the biological father of Sorn Dara, a prominent opposition activist. He previously served as deputy chief of staff in the Kampong Speu military region and retired from service in 2022.
Observers and human rights monitors say the arrest appears to be aimed at pressuring Sorn Dara to stop criticizing the government. They argue that the case is politically charged and lacks credible evidence to support the claims made by prosecutors.
So far, authorities have not responded to calls for the release of Sok Sunnaret or other detained opposition figures.
