Meach Sovannara, an official from the opposition CNRP, was arrested while driving down Monivong Boulevard in Phnom Penh on Tuesday morning, according to police and another CNRP official.
Mr. Sovannara, who is also the director of the opposition Khmer Post Radio, was arrested in accordance with an outstanding court warrant, the police official said.
“We implemented the court warrant to bring him to court,” said deputy municipal police chief Chuon Narin.
Mr. Narin said Mr. Sovannara was being detained at the Phnom Penh police headquarters and would be sent to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court later Tuesday.
“Now he’s being held at the Phnom Penh municipal police headquarters,” he said. “Since the arrest was made in accordance with the court’s warrant, there is no need to question him further.”
Mr. Sovannara has an outstanding arrest warrant for “joining an insurrection” over a violent clash during a protest near Freedom Park on July 15, which saw seven lawmakers-elect and another CNRP official sent to Prey Sar prison.
The group was released after a political deal was struck between opposition leader Sam Rainsy and Prime Minister Hun Sen a week after the clash.
Kem Monovithya, CNRP deputy director of public affairs, said Mr. Sovannara had been in a car traveling along Monivong Boulevard when he was arrested, but said the party had no information about why he was arrested.
A message posted to Mr. Sovannara’s Facebook page shortly after his arrest on Tuesday said he was detained near the Preah Ang Duong Hospital, which is located near the intersection of Norodom and Russian Confederation boulevards.
