In rare move, Cambodia arrests two for insulting king

Robert Besser
26 Mar 2023, 15:23 GMT+10

Two Cambodian opposition figures--- Yim Sinorn and Hun Kosal--- have been charged under the country's rarely used law with insulting King Norodom Sihamoni
A judge at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court also charged the men with incitement to cause serious social unrest in the country
They could face jail terms of up to five years and fines of $2,500 if found guilty

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia: Two Cambodian opposition figures--- Yim Sinorn and Hun Kosal--- have been charged under the country's rarely used law with insulting King Norodom Sihamoni for posts made on Facebook.

A judge at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court also charged the men with incitement to cause serious social unrest in the country, a court document showed. The men, once members of the now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, could face jail terms of up to five years and fines of $2,500 if found guilty.

The court did not specify what the posts said.

Yim Sinorn later posted on Facebook that he had deleted what he wrote about the king, while Hun Kosal said he respected the king and would promote the royal family.

Hun Sen, in comments on his Facebook page, said, "This is an insulting act that cannot be tolerated or excused."

Defaming the Cambodian king was outlawed by parliament in 2018. Rights groups expressed concerns at the time that the law, which is similar to legislation in neighboring Thailand, could be used to silence government critics.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Thailand Herald.

More Information

31 ℃

Fair in Bangkok/Mueang

Asia

Section

Panic, confusion in Seoul after failed North Korea rocket launch

PYONGYANG, North Korea: North Korea attempt failed to launch a satellite on May 31, which prompted raid sirens and a ...

"There are other continents on planet": Hasina tells people not to worry if can't go to America

DHAKA, Bangladesh - Sheikh Hasina has vowed to build a self-sufficient Bangladesh and has urged citizens not to be concerned ...

Missing German climber Luis Stitzinger found dead on Mt. Kanchenjunga

KATHMANDU, Nepal - The body of German climber Luis Stitzinger has been airlifted from Mt Kanchenjunga to Kathmandu, according to ...

PM Sharif leaves for Turkey to attend 'brother' Erdogan's inauguration

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan - Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif left for Turkey on Friday to attend the inauguration of his "brother," President ...

UN notes few women in top China government positions

HONG KONG, China: Describing the lack of women in China's top leadership as concerning, the United Nations has recommended the ...

China: we will send men to moon by 2030

BEIJING, China: Amid its rivalry with the US for reaching new milestones in space, reflecting their competition for global influence, ...

International

Section