The mother of a man sent to prison on charges that he is a terrorist with the Cambodian Freedom Fighters has written a letter to Prime Minister Hun Sen and Minister of Interior Sar Kheng asking for her son’s freedom.
Chhorm Samy asked the premier to free her son because she said no one would reject Hun Sen’s order. Chhorm Samy has been pushing for her son’s release, previously forcing through crowds at the Independence Day celebrations to ask King Norodom Sihanouk for help. She was whisked away by guards after a brief conversation with the King.
Her 29-year-old son, Duong Sopheap, struck what he thought was a deal with government officials to testify against CFF members in return for immunity from prosecution. He sought an amnesty from the King after turning himself in to Cambodian authorities in Thailand.
Duong Sopheap was convicted of illegal membership in the CFF and sentenced to seven years in prison. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court convicted 26 rebels, including Duong Sopheap, sentencing them to from 3 to 15 years for their involvement in a botched raid last Nov 24 in which at least four people were killed.
