Mu Sochua left for the US
August 5, 2009
By Sok Serey
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer
SRP MP Mu Sochua, who was ordered to pay a fine of 16.5 million riels by the PPenh municipal court on 04 August, left Cambodia on 05 August to travel to the US for a several weeks long visit for personal reason.
At the same time, she also asked her aid to appeal her case to the Appeal court on 05 August, in spite of the fact that she does not have a lawyer yet.
Before taking off in a commercial plane from Phnom Penh on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Mu Sochua told RFA that this is personal trip and she is not fleeing from the court.
Mrs. Mu Sochua said: “I go there for the school start of my child. I’m out until 20 September.”
Sok Serey: You are not fleeing…?
Mu Sochua: No! Quite to the contrary, my aid sent my case to appeal yesterday already, and the Appeal court summoned me for questioning in this case on 18 August. Because I will not be here, I asked for a delay.”
Ky Tech, Hun Sen’s defense lawyer, said in reaction to Mu Sochua’s appeal: “If she does not agree [with the verdict], she has the right to appeal. If she appeals, I must follow up on it.”
Regarding Mrs. Mu Sochua’s case, Am Sam Ath, director of Licadho’s investigation unit, said: “Her private trip overseas was planned long ago. Even if she is leaving, for the legal issue, Mrs. Mu Sochua still has the right to appeal. She can find another lawyer to defend her in her appeal. It is regrettable that she did not have a lawyer at the Phnom Penh municipal court to legally defend her there.”
Mrs. Mu Sochua’s departure on Wednesday 05 August 2009 took place only one day after the Phnom Penh municipal court handed her a guilty verdict for defamation, based on article 63 of the antiquated UNTAC-era law.
The human rights group Licadho issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning this injustice, it stated that the court is under the political influence of the Cambodian government.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) in Cambodia also issued a statement on 05 August asking for a firm upholding of freedom and freedom of expression which are guaranteed by Cambodia’s constitution.
At the same time, she also asked her aid to appeal her case to the Appeal court on 05 August, in spite of the fact that she does not have a lawyer yet.
Before taking off in a commercial plane from Phnom Penh on Wednesday afternoon, Mrs. Mu Sochua told RFA that this is personal trip and she is not fleeing from the court.
Mrs. Mu Sochua said: “I go there for the school start of my child. I’m out until 20 September.”
Sok Serey: You are not fleeing…?
Mu Sochua: No! Quite to the contrary, my aid sent my case to appeal yesterday already, and the Appeal court summoned me for questioning in this case on 18 August. Because I will not be here, I asked for a delay.”
Ky Tech, Hun Sen’s defense lawyer, said in reaction to Mu Sochua’s appeal: “If she does not agree [with the verdict], she has the right to appeal. If she appeals, I must follow up on it.”
Regarding Mrs. Mu Sochua’s case, Am Sam Ath, director of Licadho’s investigation unit, said: “Her private trip overseas was planned long ago. Even if she is leaving, for the legal issue, Mrs. Mu Sochua still has the right to appeal. She can find another lawyer to defend her in her appeal. It is regrettable that she did not have a lawyer at the Phnom Penh municipal court to legally defend her there.”
Mrs. Mu Sochua’s departure on Wednesday 05 August 2009 took place only one day after the Phnom Penh municipal court handed her a guilty verdict for defamation, based on article 63 of the antiquated UNTAC-era law.
The human rights group Licadho issued a statement on Tuesday, condemning this injustice, it stated that the court is under the political influence of the Cambodian government.
The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNOHCHR) in Cambodia also issued a statement on 05 August asking for a firm upholding of freedom and freedom of expression which are guaranteed by Cambodia’s constitution.
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