Foreign Minister Files Suit Against Opposition
By Mean Veasna, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
22 April 2008
Foreign Minister Hor Namhong filed a complaint in Phnom Penh Municipal
Court Tuesday, alleging defamation and dissemination of false
information against opposition leader Sam Rainsy.
In an April 17 speech in remembrance of the fall of Phnom Penh, Sam
Rainsy said the government still housed former members of the Khmer
Rouge, including the Foreign Minister.
=93If someone calls me Khmer Rouge, I will be filled with deep pain,=94
Hor Namhong told journalists Tuesday. =93I made the complaints today,
one for defamation and the other for the dissemination of false
information, because Sam Rainsy was attended by hundreds of people.=94
Court officials said Tuesday they had received the complaint, in which
Hor Namhong is suing for 10 million riel.
SRP Secretary-General Eng Chhay Ieng said the courts had no ability to
judge who was Khmer Rouge cadre or not.
The party was not worried about the case, he said.
The complaint comes just three months before general elections and Sam
Rainsy could face a jail term if found guilty.
=93We believe that the Cambodian politicians should not choose to lodge
a complaint at the moment,=94 said Ny Chakrya, chief investigator for
the rights group Adhoc. =93It is better to keep the good atmosphere for
elections.=94
Hor Namhong said Tuesday that if Sam Rainsy apologized, the minister
would withdraw his suit.
Sam Rainsy is currently out of the country.
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