Authorities in Cambodia have arrested several opposition figures in recent days, sparking allegations of political persecution as the country prepares for the 2027 commune elections. Among those detained is activist Ouk Pich Samang, who was taken into custody by police on Wednesday. According to the rights organization Licadho, the arrest occurred shortly after Pich Samang accompanied Nation Power Party (NPP) advisor Rong Chhun to the royal palace to submit a petition requesting the restoration of Chhun’s political rights.
In a separate development, two recently appointed NPP local leaders, Sok Hun and Sorn Reth, were arrested at their homes on August 28. The pair, who serve in Phnom Penh’s Stung Meanchey commune, face charges of forgery and using forged documents related to the preparation of candidate lists for the upcoming election. If convicted, they could face prison sentences ranging from one to three years. Family members and party officials have denied the allegations, describing the legal actions as politically motivated.
NPP deputy president Sok Kimseng characterized the arrests as a form of intimidation designed to pressure the party as it attempts to engage in the democratic process. Kimseng noted that the legal scrutiny only began after the individuals became affiliated with the opposition, suggesting an environment of unequal competition. Similar concerns were echoed by Senator Kong Monika of the Khmer Will Party, who described the arrests as a tactic to threaten opposition members, and by Korn Savang of the Committee for Free and Fair Elections in Cambodia (COMFREL), who warned that such actions restrict political engagement and freedom of speech.
While representatives from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court and the municipal police did not provide comments on the cases, ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) spokesperson Chea Thyrith stated that the arrests fall under the jurisdiction of the courts and affirmed that the CPP is prepared for the upcoming electoral cycle.
Source: CamboJA News
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