The Phnom Penh Municipal Court questioned the head of the opposition CNRP’s local youth group Tuesday on charges of participating in an insurrection, the first of three days of scheduled testimony from three youth activists who were imprisoned for three weeks in August.
Khin Chamrouen, 32, said Investigating Judge Keo Mony tried to establish why CNRP protesters violently retaliated against stick-wielding state security guards deployed to break up an opposition protest near Freedom Park on July 15.
“He asked me whether I ordered the demonstrators to beat the security guards,” he said.
Mr. Chamrouen said he told the judge he had actually used a megaphone to tell protesters to remain peaceful.
Seven opposition lawmakers and a party official were charged with leading an insurrection in the days following the protest and detained for a week in Prey Sar prison.
Yet another CNRP official, Chbar Ampov district councilor Soum Vuthy, was arrested on Monday for his alleged role in the protest and is being held in Prey Sar prison.
His wife, Mak Chan, said Tuesday that he has also been charged with participating in an insurrection.
