Cambodia arrests opposition leader, alleging treason

Cambodia arrests opposition leader, alleging treason

Opposition leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party Kem Sokha prays during a Buddhist ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the attack on anti-government protesters in 1997, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 30, 2017, (AP file photo)
Opposition leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party Kem Sokha prays during a Buddhist ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the attack on anti-government protesters in 1997, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on March 30, 2017, (AP file photo)

PHNOM PENH -- Cambodian authorities arrested the leader of the main opposition party on Sunday, accusing him of treason in a move that sharply escalated political tensions in the Southeast Asian nation ahead of national elections next year. His party denied the allegations and said the charges were politically motivated.

The arrest of Kem Sokha during a midnight raid on his Phnom Penh home appeared to be part of a broader push by the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, one of the world's longest serving rulers, to crush opponents and silence critics ahead of the vote.

The government in recent weeks has closed down radio stations that gave air-time to the opposition party and threatened to shut down other independent media outlets on charges of violating tax laws that analysts say are politically motivated.

Kem Sokha was taken away in handcuffs after a force of between 100 to 200 officers swept his home, according his daughter, Monovithya Kem, who is also a member of his embattled Cambodia National Rescue Party.

Monovithya Kem said on Twitter that police showed no warrant for her father's arrest. She said later that his whereabouts were unknown. But Interior Ministry spokesman Gen Khieu Sopheak said Kem Sokha was being held at the Tropeang Phlong prison facility in Tbuong Khmum province, some 130 kilometres east of Phnom Penh.

He said the next step will be his court appearance to officially face the charges, which carry a prison sentence of 15 to 30 years.

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