The Phnom Penh Municipal Court released an order on Sunday relaxing the bail conditions for opposition leader Kem Sokha, allowing him to leave his house but preventing him from traveling outside Cambodia or engaging in political activity.
The court document is dated November 10 and was confirmed as authentic by court spokesperson Y Rin. While Sokha is released from house arrest, the treason charges leveled against him still remain and the court has yet to set a trial date.
Kem Sokha was released from a Tbong Khmum prison in September 2018, a year after he was arrested in a midnight raid in 2017 for allegedly conspiring with foreign powers. Despite being granted bail last year, he remained under house arrest and was barred from meeting supporters or participating in political activities.
The document states that the order was issued considering Sokha’s health issues and his cooperation with court procedures. Kem Monovithya, Sokha’s daughter, confirmed on social media that his lawyers had requested the court to drop all the charges on November 7.
Sokha’s release comes as the European Commission is finalizing a report on whether Cambodia will lose its ‘Everything But Arms’ trade preferences. Also, other Cambodia National Rescue Party leaders, including Sam Rainsy and Mu Schua, are attempting to return to Cambodia and are currently in Malaysia.
Stay tuned to more VOA Khmer coverage on this developing story.