A defence lawyer for opposition leader Sam Rainsy has filed a complaint with the Constitutional Council appealing the National Election Committee’s decision to remove Rainsy from the voter rolls.

A week ago, the election body approved the scrubbing of Rainsy’s name on the grounds that he is a convicted criminal.

Rainsy, who lives in self-imposed exile in France, faces 12 years’ imprisonment should he return on charges of incitement, disinformation and destruction of public property.

Supporters of Rainsy, however, have long said the convictions are politically motivated and have pressed for his return prior to the July 2013 elections.

Lawyer Choung Choungy said yesterday that he submitted the complaint on Saturday.

“The verdict of the NEC on my client is very unjust. I haven’t had a response yet from the Constitutional Council, but, according to the procedure, the verdict will be made, at most, 10 days following the submission of the complaint,” he said.

To contact the reporter on this story: May Titthara at [email protected]