Khmer Citizen’s Party President Nguon Soeur has asked King Norodom Sihanouk to consider pardoning two princes and four prominent generals, but the King responded that he doesn’t dare without a request first by Second Prime Minister Hun Sen.
Nguon Soeur wrote in a letter dated Tuesday that amnesties for Prince Norodom Sirivudh, Prince Norodom Chakrapong and generals Nhiek Bun Chhay, Serey Kosal, Sin Song and Sin Sen are essential “for the slow and tedious process of national reconciliation.”
“I humbly appeal and beg your majesty to kindly consider amnesty for the people stated above, as their crimes are less severe than those already amnestied earlier,” Nguon Soeur said, apparently referring to the pardon of the King’s son, deposed first prime minister Prince Norodom Ranariddh.
The King responded that he had forwarded Nguon Soeur’s request to the two prime ministers. Nguon Soeur, whose own party is allied with the CPP, is a former member of both Sam Rainsy’s Khmer Nation Party and the prince’s Funcinpec.
“[But] I would like to explain to you that it was Hun Sen who made a clear request to me to pardon the prince,” the King responded. “For me, I have not dared to decide such points by myself.”
Prince Sirivudh was convicted in absentia in 1996 of plotting to assassinate Second Prime Minister Hun Sen. Prince Chakrapong, Sin Song and Sin Sen were convicted of plotting a 1994 coup d’etat against Hun Sen. Nhiek Bun Chhay and Serey Kosal were convicted last month of colluding to overthrow Hun Sen.
