Following a bail hearing for CNRP information department chief Meach Sovannara at the Supreme Court on Wednesday, the opposition party’s spokesman said he was “optimistic” that the court would decide to release the official when it announces a verdict on March 11.
Upon leaving the hearing, Mr. Sovannara again denied having any part in violence that broke out during a July protest at Freedom Park. “I think the top leaders of both parties will discuss this problem.
If there are no negotiations, I have no hope because this is a political case,” he said.
CNRP spokesman Yim Sovann said party leaders had received the message, and he was confident that Mr. Sovannara would be free next week. “I am optimistic he will be released on the 11th,” he said.
“This is my prediction because if they did not want to release him, they would have [decided] today.”
The trial of CNRP activist Ouk Pich Samnang—facing charges of damaging public property after plowing his tuk-tuk into a police barricade during a separate protest last year—was delayed Wednesday because his lawyer was busy representing Mr. Sovannara.
