A dissident group once labelled a terrorist organisation by Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday filed its application with the Ministry of Interior to form an official political party.

Ros Sokhet, spokesman for the Khmer Power Party, confirmed that the group submitted the application yesterday morning.

“The Ministry of Interior has accepted our submission, and in at least one week, the minister will respond to us that we are legally registered,” he said.

The application included the thumbprints and names of 4,600 supporters, and confirmation from the National Bank of Cambodia that the prospective party had deposited the required 3 million riel (about $738).

The party has been formed by Sourn Serey Ratha and members of his US-based dissident group Khmer People Power Movement (KPPM).

Yesterday’s submission came just days after King Norodom Sihamoni granted Serey Ratha – whose convictions include treason and obstructing electoral procedures – a pardon, excusing him of his crimes.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak could not be reached yesterday.