Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Supreme Court upholds Kim Sok’s incitement verdict

Supreme Court upholds Kim Sok’s incitement verdict

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
Political analyst Kim Sok is escorted by officials to his bail hearing in Phnom Penh last July. Sok, accused of saying that the CPP was responsible for the murder of fellow analyst Kem Sokha, on Friday, saw his incitement conviction upheld. Pha Lina

Supreme Court upholds Kim Sok’s incitement verdict

The Supreme Court upheld a conviction on Friday against political analyst Kim Sok, who was sentenced to 18 months jail for claiming that the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) was behind the 2016 murder of well-known commentator, Kem Ley, according to the prosecuting lawyer.

Ky Tech, the CPP’s legal representative said after a hearing on Sunday, the Supreme Court made its decision to uphold the lower court’s decision which sentenced Kim Sok to 18 months and slapped him with a million riel [about $2,000] fine, in addition to 800 million riel [around $200,000] compensation he must pay to the CPP.

Sok was convicted in August last year for “incitement to commit a felony” and defamation for his claim, broadcast on Radio Free Asia (RFA), that the prime minister’s party was behind Ley’s assassination.

“But after doing those things, killing and other things, [they] finally killed Kem Ley, but people still stand up. So the last approach is using the legal way … the intention is not only on Sam Rainsy … their goal was to destroy the CNRP,” Sok said on RFA.

Sok’s defence lawyer, Choung Chou Ngy, said his client will complete his jail time in August, which was met with a response by Tech that the convicted would still have to pay compensation in full.

“Now, we don’t have to wait another month because the Supreme Court ruling is already in effect. We the complainant can request for enforcement of the decision in order to get the compensation,” Tech said.

Sok still faces an additional complaint filed by Tech for a second speech on RFA, stemming from his attempt to clarify remarks he initially made. Tech said the second case was still in the hands of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

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

  • 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,

  • 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

  • 1.4 billion dollar Phnom Penh-Bavet expressway due in four years

    The Government, through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, has officially signed a public-private partnership agreement with a private company for the construction of a Phnom Penh-Bavet Expressway project that will connect the capital to Svay Rieng province. The budget for the project is

  • 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