RFA, Nov. 19, 2020
A Cambodian-American human rights lawyer vowed Thursday to challenge treason charges in a Phnom Penh court next week, and underscored her readiness to go to jail by cutting her hair during a video interview with RFA.
Theary Seng, a Cambodia-based lawyer and vocal critic of Prime Minister Hun Sen, is among more 50 supporters and members of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party summoned in recent weeks to stand trial for conspiracy to commit treason and incitement of social unrest for taking part in nonviolent protests and other actions over the past three years.
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Theary, a U.S.-trained lawyer and citizen, told RFA’s Khmer Service she will appear in Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Nov. 26 and challenge the charges
“You cannot charge someone with treason with a piece of paper without giving details like that. What is treason? Nothing is explained in the paper,” she said, holding up a warrant dated Oct. 21, signed by Deputy Prosecutor Sen Heang.
Theary said she is taking on the charges only for herself, but also for many other CNRP supporters who are unjustly charged and jailed.
“The truth is power and it is a weapon too. So, I have this weapon in
court, the power of my speech to draw the national and world attention
of justice and truth lovers to support my case,” she told RFA.
RFA reported on Nov. 3 that Sen Heang had called in 13 senior officials
and 46 party members, nearly all of whom have fled overseas to avoid
punishment following the party’s legal dissolution in November 2017, to
stand trial.
In full: https://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/lawyer-treason-11192020220236.html
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