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Cambodian ruling party sues political commentator for defamation

Xinhua, April 26, 2016 Adjust font size:

The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) has sued prominent political commentator Ou Virak for defamation after he said that the CPP had manipulated a sex scandal involving deputy opposition leader Kem Sokha.

In a complaint filed to the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Monday, CPP's spokesman Sok Eysan said that Virak, head of the Future Forum think tank, has made a false allegation that damaged the party's reputation and defamed the CPP.

"On behalf of the CPP, I request the court to punish Ou Virak and demand a compensation of 400 million riel (100,000 U.S. dollars) from him," he wrote in the complaint.

Virak's comments were made during his interview with the U.S.-backed Radio Free Asia a few days ago.

The alleged sex scandal between Kem Sokha, vice-president of the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, and 25-year-old hairdresser Srey Mon came to light in late February when leaked audio clips of telephone conversation between them went viral on the Internet. In the clips, they discussed sex, pregnancy and paying for an apartment.

Since the scandal broke out, Kem Sokha has not publicly commented on the veracity of the audio recordings; instead, he advised supporters not to respond to provocations. Endit