The first day of Kem Sokha’s trial hearing ended Wednesday evening, with the former opposition leader facing questions about his early political career, the founding of a human rights group and its funding by international donors, especially USAID.
The long-awaited trial commenced Wednesday morning, more than two years after Kem Sokha was arrested for alleged treason. The opposition leader attended both sessions of the hearing and will return to court on Thursday, rounding up this week’s hearings. The trial is expected to take three months, with two hearings every week.
After the morning session focused on a video clip that, according to the government, supports the treason charge, the presiding judges considered a proposal from government lawyers to use Khmer letters as monikers to refer to foreign governments, organizations, and individuals during the trial, to ensure that Cambodia does not damage its foreign and diplomatic relations.
