A Cambodian court on Monday denied an appeal lodged by the lawyer of National Election Committee member Ny Chakrya, who is being held on suspicion of bribery in a case that critics have labeled politically motivated.
Chakrya was jailed on bribery-related charges along with four human rights workers for allegedly giving money to Khom Chandaraty, the supposed mistress of opposition deputy leader Kem Sokha, to persuade her to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Sokha.
Sam Sokong, a lawyer for Chakrya, lodged the appeal on August 3, but he said after the hearing yesterday that the appeal had been rejected by the judge.
Touch Tharith, a court spokesman, said Sokong could take the case to the Supreme Court if he disagreed with the decision.
“The panel decided to reject the case of Chakrya’s lawyer. They upheld the decision of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court”.
Sokong said he would indeed file a case with the Supreme Court.
Sok Sam Oeun, a legal expert, said the conditions Chakrya and the rights workers were being held in, which reportedly includes sleep deprivation, was “mental punishment.”
