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Cambodian deputy opposition leader again ignores court summons

Xinhua, June 14, 2016 Adjust font size:

Opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) vice president and lawmaker Kem Sokha again ignored a court summons on Tuesday over a case of "refusal to appear," Phnom Penh Municipal Court spokesman Ly Sophanna said.

CNRP said in a statement that Kem Sokha did not present himself in the court because he had parliamentary immunity. The statement, however, said that Kem Sokha had sent a team of lawyers to the court to explain the reason of his refusal to appear.

Hundreds of CNRP supporters gathered on Tuesday at the party's headquarters on the southern outskirts of Phnom Penh capital to protect Kem Sokha, who has been holed up there since police attempted to arrest him on May 26.

Meanwhile, hundreds of anti-riot police officers have been deployed not far from the party in order to ensure social security and public order.

Kem Sokha was charged by a court prosecutor on May 26 with "refusal to appear" over a prostitution case involving his alleged mistress. Under the charge, he could face a prison term of between one and six months.

The accusation against Kem Sokha stems from leaked audio clips of telephone conversation between him and his alleged mistress in February. In the clips, they discussed sex, pregnancy and paying for an apartment. Endit