Prince Norodom Ranariddh re-turned to Cambodia on Sunday, just days ahead of scheduled questioning at the Phnom Penh Muni-cipal Court in a breach of trust case filed by officials of his former Funcinpec party.
Muth Channtha, spokesman for the newly formed Norodom Rana-riddh Party, said the prince flew into Siem Reap town around 12:30 pm Sunday after spending several weeks in France.
Prince Ranariddh is scheduled to travel through Kompong Thom and Kompong Cham provinces today to meet with supporters, he said.
The prince has been summoned to appear in court Friday to answer questions regarding the multi-million-dollar sale of Funcinpec party headquarters in Phnom Penh.
The prince might soon face further legal difficulties in the form of an adultery complaint filed last month by his wife Princess Marie. The court has yet to charge the prince in that matter.
Prince Ranariddh loyalist Serei Kosal said the prince was not worried about his impending foray into the courts. “The prince does not care about the [breach of trust] case—pure gold is never afraid of the fire,” he said.
Funcinpec spokesman Nouv Sovathero said he was not surprised that the prince has returned to face the court. Funcinpec also has no concerns about what the prince’s return might mean politically for their party, he said.
“If he comes to strengthen his party, we have also strengthened ours,” he added.
