Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Court orders seizure of Rainsy's land to pay for defamation convictions

Court orders seizure of Rainsy's land to pay for defamation convictions

Former CNRP President Sam Rainsy stands along the Bassac River outside his home in Phnom Penh's Chak Angre Leu commune.  Post Staff
Former CNRP President Sam Rainsy stands along the Bassac River outside his home in Phnom Penh's Chak Angre Leu commune. Post Staff

Court orders seizure of Rainsy's land to pay for defamation convictions

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday issued a letter ordering the seizure of former Cambodia National Rescue Party President Sam Rainsy’s land in Chak Angre Leu commune, which houses the former party headquarters and Rainsy’s private residence, to pay fines levied in two defamation convictions.

The order relates to separate defamation cases filed by National Assembly President Heng Samrin and Prime Minister Hun Sen against Rainsy. In both cases, the court said the former opposition leader had exhausted his appeals.

“First, temporarily confiscate the properties of the debtor Sam Rainsy, such as immovable property with land certificate located in Chak Angre Leu commune, Meanchey district, Phnom Penh and wait for the court to decide on the case,” the warrant reads, adding that the land will be returned if Rainsy clears his penalties.

Rainsy could not be reached today and Ky Tech, lawyer for both Samrin and Hun Sen, said he was busy and could not comment.

Samrin’s case relates to a Facebook video on Rainsy’s account alleging falsely that the People's Republic of Kampuchea government, led by Samrin, tried the late King Norodom Sihanouk in absentia and had sentenced him to death. Rainsy was ordered to pay Samrin around $37,200 and approximately $2,400 to the state.

The other conviction follows accusations by Rainsy that the premier bribed social media celebrity and ruling party champion Thy Sovantha with $1 million to wage a campaign against the opposition, after text messages purportedly between Hun Sen and Sovantha were leaked. The court sided with the premier and his claims to $1 million in damages last December.

Read more here.

MOST VIEWED

  • Ministry orders all schools, public and private, to close for SEA Games

    From April 20 to May 18, all public and private educational institutions will be closed to maintain order and support Cambodia's hosting of the 32nd SEA Games and 12th ASEAN Para Games, said a directive from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport. Cambodia will host the

  • Almost 9K tourists see equinox sunrise at Angkor Wat

    Nearly 9,000 visitors – including 2,226 international tourists – gathered at Angkor Wat on March 21 to view the spring equinox sunrise, according to a senior official of the Siem Reap provinical tourism department. Ngov Seng Kak, director of the department, said a total of 8,726 people visited Angkor Wat to

  • Angkor Beer strengthens national pride with golden new look and fresher taste

    Angkor Beer – the "Gold of Angkor" – has a new look, one that is more stylish and carries a premium appeal, as well as a fresher taste and smoother flavour, making it the perfect choice for any gathering. Angkor Beer recently launched its new design, one

  • Water supply authority assures public shortages over early ‘24

    The Phnom Penh Water Supply Authority (PPWSA) asked for understanding from Phnom Penh residents in some communes where water pressure is weak. They assured residents that all supply issues will be resolved by early 2024, but have suggested that residents use water sparingly in the meantime.

  • Khmer ballet documentary debuts April 1

    A new documentary, The Perfect Motion, or Tep Hattha in Khmer, will premiere to the public on April 1. The documentary film follows two intertwined storylines: the creation of a show called Metamorphosis by the late Princess Norodom Buppha Devi (her very last production) and the

  • EU’s Sokha resolution ‘a sovereign rights breach’

    The National Assembly (NA) said the European Parliament (EP) did not respect the Kingdom’s independence and sovereignty when it passed a resolution strongly critical of the recent conviction and sentencing of former opposition leader Kem Sokha for “treason”. On March 16, the EP issued a