Another witness is being questioned in the treason case against the leader of Cambodia’s former main opposition party.
Kem Sokha was arrested in September last year after the Cambodian authorities accused him of committing treason by colluding with foreign government to overthrow Prime Minister Hun Sen.
On Tuesday, land activist Sar Sorn was questioned by Judge Ky Rithy for about two hours over her alleged involvement in a protest campaign known as the Black Monday campaign. She denied holding a position in the Cambodia National Rescue Party.
“The court mainly asked me if I was involved in organizing the Black Monday campaign. The judge said there could be many scenarios, including civil society involvement and external parties funding me to do it,” she said.
Also on Monday, the court continued to question another witness in the case, Vorn Pao, president of the Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association, a workers group.
“I was asked about the events that occurred in late 2013 and early 2014 and asked about the connection between the association and the Cambodia National Rescue Party and between me and Kem Sokha and other main points,” he said.
He added that he was unsure as to why the court had called him for questioning, saying that he could only think it was because Sokha had visited him in prison after a demonstration in 2013.
In May, eight witnesses were called in the case, mostly senior officials from non-governmental groups advocating for better living standards and rights for Cambodians.
Ly Sophanna, a court spokesman, did not respond to requests for comment.
