Authorities in Cambodia have labelled opposition leader Sam Rainsy’s plan to return next month from exile a “coup”, and stepped up a crackdown on his supporters.
At least 27 members of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) have been arrested since the start of the year accused of plotting a coup and many more have faced various other political charges, the party said.
“I have serious concerns that other CNRP supporters and I could get arrested,” supporter Mao Chhorn told Al Jazeera. “I myself have often been followed by local authorities and secret police.”
