VAY RIENG provincial court has convicted opposition leader Sam Rainsy of racial incitement and destroying demarcation posts on the border with Vietnam, a verdict rights activists have labelled “ridiculous”.
In a closed-door session on Wednesday, Judge Koam Chhean sentenced the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) president to two years prison and fined him 8 million riels (around US$1,927) in absentia, said Sam Sokong, the defense attorney of two villagers convicted on similar charges.
“I cannot accept the trial today, because it did not take evidence and proof into consideration to find justice,” Sam Sokong said. “The court did not base its decision on the evidence.”
His clients – villagers Meas Srey, 39, and Prom Chea, 41 – were sentenced to one year each on the charge of destroying public property. The three accused were also ordered to collectively pay 55 million riels ($13,253) in compensation for the removal of the border markers.
After the hearing, Long Ry, an SRP lawmaker who attended the trial, scorned the verdict, saying the proceedings were a farce. “The decision was prepared beforehand and everything was decided in advance. The court ‘acted’ very well,” he said afterwards.
Wednesday’s proceedings were closed to members of the public, and the gate to the provincial courthouse was guarded by a phalanx of police and military police officers.
More here: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010012831213/National-news/sam-rainsy-sentenced-in-absentia.html
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