Cambodian parliament convenes urgent meeting to discuss opposition lawmaker's arrest

The National Assembly of Cambodia on Tuesday afternoon convened an urgent meeting to discuss the arrest of opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) lawmaker Um Sam An.

Sixty-three lawmakers, including Prime Minister Hun Sen, from the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) took part in the 15-minute session, as all CNRP lawmakers boycotted it.

At the end of the session, National Assembly President Heng Samrin announced that all 63 lawmakers in attendance unanimously allowed the court to continue its procedures against lawmaker Um Sam An, who was "caught in the act of committing a crime".

Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Tuesday morning that Um Sam An was arrested after he had posted messages to his Facebook page, accusing the government of using fake border map with Vietnam.

"You said the map is fake, I arrested you immediately regardless of your parliamentary immunity because your behavior has jeopardized the nation," he said during a visit to the Development Center for Disabled Veterans in northwestern Siem Reap province.

Um Sam An was arrested early Monday morning in Siem Reap province shortly after he returned from the United States, where he had lived in self-exile since July last year.

Phnom Penh Municipal Court Judge Top Chhun Heng on Tuesday charged him with two counts -- inciting discrimination and chaos to social security, which could face up to five years in prison if convicted, said Som Sokong, defense lawyer for Um Sam An. Enditem