WireAP_dc15a1bdff264fee9f46b91106a795d9_16x9_992 — Theary Seng, center, a Cambodian-American lawyer gestures as she enters the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2020. A Cambodian court on Thursday began hearing the cases of nearly 130 opponents and government critics charged with treason for taking part in nonviolent political activities over the past three years, in what one of them described as a sham trial. Theary Seng, who has long been one of the most outspoken critics of Hun Sen and his government, is one of the best known defendants living in Cambodia.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Activist slams ‘sham trial’ of Cambodia opposition members

Ten opposition activists, including a Cambodian-American lawyer, are facing treason and other charges in a trial in Cambodia’s capital widely criticized by rights advocates.

January 15, 2021

by AP

Ten opposition activists, including a Cambodian-American lawyer, faced treason and other charges Thursday in a trial in Cambodia’s capital widely criticized by rights advocates.

More than 60 defendants were summoned, mostly former members or supporters of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which had been the sole credible political opposition until Cambodia’s highest court in late 2017 ordered its dissolution. But only 10 defendants attended, according to defense lawyer Sam Sokong.

The reasons for the absences were not immediately explained, though some defendants reside abroad. Under Cambodian law, defendants can be tried in absentia.

In full: https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/activists-slam-sham-trial-cambodia-opposition-members-75242211

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