Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy stripped of immunity

Cambodia's National Assembly yesterday stripped the immunity of opposition leader Sam Rainsy, the subject of an arrest warrant related to a blasphemy case seven years ago.

A Cambodian court on November 13 issued an arrest warrant for Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), in connection with a defamation case against the foreign minister seven years ago, which had been granted a royal pardon.

Mr. Sam Rainsy, leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). Photo: Reuters.

The Cambodian National Assembly yesterday stripped Rainsy of the parliamentary immunity that came with his position in the body. The decision to expel Rainsy was announced by the President of the Cambodian National Assembly, Heng Samrin.

"He lost all rights when there was an arrest warrant. He is no longer a member of parliament so he lost his immunity," VOA News quoted Chheang Vun, the spokesman for Cambodia's parliament, as telling reporters after a meeting of the standing committee.

Sam Rainsy will be arrested as soon as he returns to the country, Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said. "There will be no political promises because he has lost all political status."

Sam Rainsy was scheduled to arrive at Phnom Penh International Airport at 10:20 p.m. yesterday after completing a trip to Japan and South Korea. But the CNRP leader said on his personal Facebook page that he had postponed his trip after speaking with colleagues in Cambodia and "some international organizations" who advised him to return during the day. He said he would be in Cambodia "in the next few days."

The United States yesterday expressed deep concern about Sam Rainsy's expulsion from Cambodia's parliament, calling for his immunity to be restored and his arrest warrant to be revoked, Reuters reported.

Rainsy was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $2,000 for defamation and incitement to discrimination for his comments against Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong in 2008. He was pardoned by the king in July 2013 and never served his sentence. Defamation is a criminal offense in Cambodia, punishable by a prison term and a fine.

According to VNE