A Cambodian opposition leader has been sentenced to five months in prison as political tensions continue over challenges to the autocratic rule of the prime minister, Hun Sen.Kem Sokha, the vice-president of the Cambodia National Rescue party (CNRP), was sentenced after a trial lasting several hours. He refused, saying the legal moves were part of attempts by the ruling Cambodian People’s party (CPP) to cripple the opposition. Riot police were outside the court and nearly 1,000 opposition supporters gathered in front of the CNRP headquarters, with riot police watching them from about 500 metres (1,640ft) away. Before the verdict, Kem appeared before his supporters and accused the government of using the courts to prevent him from speaking out and taking part in the elections. It noted “a host of legal charges” faced by Kem and 29 opposition supporters.

Source: The Guardian September 09, 2016 14:19 UTC