A Cambodian prosecutor has charged the former leader of Cambodia's royalist party with adultery for having an extra-marital affair.
The prosecutor (Sok Kalyan) at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court says Norodom Ranariddh could face up to one year in prison if found guilty under Cambodia's new monogamy law.
The adultery charge arises from a complaint filed in December by the prince's estranged wife, Marie Ranariddh.
Prince Ranariddh, who is currently in Europe, has acknowleged his relationship with classical dancer Ouk Phalla, with whom he has a three-year old son. The prince's aides say the adultery charge is politcally-motivated.
In a separate court action last week, Prince Ranariddh was sentenced in absentia to 18 months in prison on charges of fraud related to a land deal.
The Phnom Penh court convicted the prince of breach of trust for registering property he purchased with money from his former Funcinpec party under his own name.
