CNRP’s Um Sam An to appeal April arrest

Opposition lawmaker Um Sam An is escorted by police officials outside the Appeal Court in Phnom Penh in May. AFP

Jailed opposition lawmaker Um Sam An is due to file an appeal this morning against his “unlawful” midnight arrest, according to his lawyer.

Defence lawyer Choung Choungy said he would apply to have the arrest deemed “illegal”, in light of his client’s parliamentary immunity, which had not been stripped by the National Assembly.

“The arrest of my client – since the beginning – has been illegal,” he said. Sam An was arrested a little after midnight on April 11 in Siem Reap, hours after flying back to Cambodia from the US.

He was questioned by anti-terrorism police and charged with “incitement” in the wake of his criticism of the government’s Vietnam border policy, claiming Cambodia had ceded territory to its neighbour.

While lawmakers can be arrested without first being stripped of their immunity in the case of “red-handed” crimes, Choungy claimed this was not the case for Sam An.

However, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice spokesmen have both previously said that Sam An’s alleged posting of parts of a “fake” border treaty online, amounted to just such a “red-handed” case.

Contact authors: Niem Chheng and Erin Handley

MOST VIEWED

Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO
Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in
Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia
In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the
Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing
To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable
Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence
Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have
CP denied registration documents by ministry
The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do
Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings
Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument