Three former lawmakers from the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) who have fled the country and another party member were each sentenced to two years in prison by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

The court also ordered their arrest and fined them four million riel ($1,000) each on charges of incitement to cause social chaos, municipal court spokesman Plang Sophal said.

Sophal identified the accused as Ho Van, Ou Chanrith, Kong Sophea and Seng Mengbunrong.

The court also sentenced 10 of their “accomplices” to 20 months in prison, but suspended them, and fined them two million riel each.

“They have been charged with inciting social chaos in Cambodia from early August to August 4, 2020,” Sophal said.

Their case had been heard by the municipal court twice with the verdicts announced on October 26 for their participation in demonstrations demanding the release of union leader Rong Chhun, who was sentenced to two years in prison on charges of incitement for comments he made about an alleged loss of community land to Vietnam during border demarcation process.

Defence lawyer Sam Chamroeun told The Post that he was not satisfied with the ruling but most of his clients had been serving their sentences in prison already.

“I am discussing with my clients about whether to file an appeal with the Court of Appeal,” he said.