Cambodia’s self-exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, who has vowed to return home to lead demonstrations against authoritarian rule, said on Thursday he had been prevented from boarding a flight from Paris to Bangkok.
The apparently blocked flight came a day after Malaysia detained Mu Sochua, the vice-president of Sam Rainsy’s banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), at a Kuala Lumpur airport, before releasing her 24 hours later.
Strongman Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985, has characterised the returning opposition figures’ planned rallies as an attempted coup.
