EFE

A Cambodian court sentenced two rappers to prison on Tuesday for what has been described as inciting people to commit crimes in the lyrics of their songs, in which they commented on social issues and criticized the government.

In its 14-year history, the Khmer Rouge Tribunal has reached important milestones such as life prison sentences for genocide against two of its former leaders, but its future hangs by a thread due to the Cambodian authorities and judges’ apparent opposition to continuing with the remaining investigations.

Authorities in Cambodia on Tuesday began preparing to get kids back to schools that will reopen next week with limited-capacity classes after staying shut for months as the country has succeeded in keeping the Covid-19 situation under control with a total of 274 cases and no fatality.

Authoritarian Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has governed the country for 35 years, and although expecting to hold office for at least another decade, the leader has begun to position his eldest son, Hun Manet, as a possible successor.

The disappearance of a Thai dissident living in self-exile in Cambodia after his reported violent abduction in broad daylight in Phnom Penh has sparked outrage in Thailand along with a wave of criticism against the government for its apparent indifference to the case.

The Cambodian government should end its "assault" on opposition members and drop all politically motivated charges against them after a spike in arrests ahead of an exiled opposition leader’s return to the country, a Southeast Asian rights group said Tuesday.