Off the wire
• Indian stocks open lower  • Australia "a step closer" to negotiating FTA with European Union: trade minister  • Boosting inclusive growth should be priority for APEC leaders' meeting: PECC report  • Prehistoric 'sludge' could help transplant surgery, say Australian scientists  • Myanmar's parliament resumes sessions one week after election  • New Zealand to charge GST on overseas online purchases  • 2nd LD Writethru: Spokeperson has "no further comment" on UN chief's reported visit to Pyongyang  • New Qantas-China Eastern partnership to result in 30 percent more flights to Tasmania  • New movie joins China's anti-corruption efforts  • 1st LD: Spokeperson has "no further comment" on UN chief's reported visit to Pingyang  
You are here: 　 Home

Cambodia sets up committee to enforce arrest warrant for opposition leader

Xinhua, November 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Cambodia's Ministry of Interior has formed a committee to enforce an arrest warrant for opposition leader Sam Rainsy over an old defamation case, according to a decision released to the media on Monday.

The committee is comprised of eight senior officials of the Ministry of Interior, the National Police, the Immigration Department and the Prison Department, said the decision signed by Interior Minister Sar Kheng on Sunday.

It said the committee must assign working groups to take responsibility in Phnom Penh City and Siem Reap province, where international airports are located.

The decision said the committee is obliged "to safeguard the convict (Sam Rainsy) when he is transported to the prison, and to prevent any actions that cause disturbance to the enforcement of the verdict."

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Friday issued the arrest warrant for Sam Rainsy, president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), over an old defamation charge.

Sam Rainsy was charged with defamation after he alleged Foreign Minister Hor Namhong of serving for the former Democratic Kampuchea in a speech at the Choeung Ek Museum in Phnom Penh on April 17, 2008, according to the warrant signed by deputy Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor Sy Vanny.

Sam Rainsy was convicted in absentia on the charge, sentenced to two years in prison by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in April 2011, and the conviction was upheld by the Appeal Court in 2013. Since then, he has not served his prison term yet, the warrant said.

CNRP spokesman Yem Ponhearith told local media on Sunday that Sam Rainsy, who is currently in South Korea, is expected to return to Cambodia late Monday night, despite the arrest warrant awaiting him. Enditem