Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Live updates: Kem Sokha in Phnom Penh for bail hearing

Live updates: Kem Sokha in Phnom Penh for bail hearing

Security outside the Appeal Court in Phnom Penh this morning.
Security outside the Appeal Court in Phnom Penh this morning. Hong Menea

Live updates: Kem Sokha in Phnom Penh for bail hearing

12:19pm
That's all for our live updates for now. We will post any further news when we have it.



12:03pm

Meng Sopheary, a member of Sokha's defence team, told reporters outside court: "The Appeal Court decided to uphold the decision of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court. This means that the Appeal Court doesn’t allow Kem Sokha to get bail.

"There are three points for requesting bail. First, it is his health. Second, if he is still in prison there will be no way to find a solution to [Cambodia's] political situation. And thirdly, he did not commit the crime."

Kem Sokha's lawyer Chhoung Choungy speaks to reporters outside the Appeal Court.
Kem Sokha's lawyer Chhoung Choungy speaks to reporters outside the Appeal Court. Hong Menea

Sokha's lawyer Choung Choungy added: "The Appeal Court decoded not to release Kem Sokha and to keep him in prison. The reason is to protect his security. He did not commit the crime and has the support of millions of people, so there is no enemy for him."



11:35am

A convoy drives Kem Sokha from the Appeal Court after his request for bail was denied. This was as close as our reporters were allowed to stand.




11:30am

Kem Sokha's lawyer Chhoung Choungy confirms that his bail request has been denied. He has been driven from the Appeal Court. Updates to follow

A vehicle for Tbong Khmum police, the province in which Kem Sokha has been held since September, drives in convoy as the former opposition leader leaves the Appeal Court.
A vehicle for Tbong Khmum police, the province in which Kem Sokha has been held since September, drives in convoy as the former opposition leader leaves the Appeal Court. Hong Menea



11:10am

Sokha's wife and mother have been escorted into the Appeal Court carrying food.

Sokha's daughter Samathida Kem, who is not in the country, posted this tweet:



9:57am

Sao Nget, Kem Sokha’s 92-year-old mother, is emotional outside the Appeal Court. “I want to meet my son. I want to go inside the court to meet my son,” she said.

Kem Sokha’s mother Sao Nget near the Appeal Court this morning.
Kem Sokha’s mother Sao Nget near the Appeal Court this morning. Hong Menea



9:32am

Sokha’s wife Te Chanmono and his chief of staff Muth Chantha outside court.
Sokha’s wife Te Chanmono and his chief of staff Muth Chantha outside court. Ananth Baliga



9:01am

Photographs posted to pro-government news site Fresh News appear to show Sokha in court this morning.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Credit: Fresh News

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Credit: Fresh News



8:30am

UN observers are prevented from entering the barricades blocking off the entrance to the Appeal Court on Sothearos Boulevard.
UN observers are prevented from entering the barricades blocking off the entrance to the Appeal Court on Sothearos Boulevard. Ananth Baliga

Kem Sokha's lawyer Chuong Choungy walks into the Appeal Court for the morning hearing.
Kem Sokha's lawyer Chuong Choungy walks into the Appeal Court for the morning hearing. Hong Menea



7:50am

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A monk speaks to a police officer over a security barricade outside the Appeal Court this morning. Hong Menea



7:01am

Kem Sokha, the jailed former leader of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, has been brought to Phnom Penh Appeal Court for a bail hearing.

He was driven to the court at 5:40am escorted by a convoy of security vehicles.

Sothearos Boulevard is currently blocked around the entrance to both the Supreme Court and Appeal Court, but traffic is moving on Sisowath Quay. Around two dozen security officers are stationed by the courts on both roads.

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Roadblocks and security by the Supreme Court this morning. Ananth Baliga

This is the first time that Sokha has left Trapaing Phlong prison in Tbong Khmum, where he has been jailed since his arrest during a midnight raid on his residence in Phnom Penh on September 3.

He has been provisionally charged for “treason” in relation to a 2013 video where he claimed to have received advice from the United States to plan his political trajectory.

We will post updates throughout the day here when we have them.

MOST VIEWED

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom