Deputy opposition leader Kem Sokha has been summoned to appear before the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Wednesday in relation to a case from last year, a Ministry of Justice spokesman said Friday.
“I received information that a summons issued by the prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court has been sent and received by Kem Sokha’s cabinet officials today,” said ministry spokesman Kim Santepheap.
“He has been summoned for additional questioning involving a case file from 2014.”
CNRP President Sam Rainsy said that Mr. Sokha, deputy president of parliament, had been summoned over his involvement in January protests by garment workers.
Mr. Rainsy said that he and his deputy joined workers during mass protests calling for a $160 minimum wage in the garment sector, but had no role in instances of violence during those protests.
“So any accusation that we were inciting them to commit violence is groundless, baseless, and the very proceedings are illegal because he is the first vice president of the National Assembly, so he has parliamentary immunity and should not be the subject of any investigation, prosecution or questioning,” Mr. Rainsy said.
