International News

PHNOM PENH, (APP/AFP) – An outspoken Cambodian
opposition lawmaker faces up to five years in prison after he was charged Tuesday with “inciting revolt” by criticising government border maps, officials said.
Um Sam An, a dual Cambodian-US national, was arrested late Sunday in
Siem Reap province after returning from overseas.
He was a prominent campaigner against the government of Prime
Minister Hun Sen for using contested maps as a guideline to demarcate the border with Vietnam, accusing it of conceding land to the neighbouring country.
Prosecutors at a Phnom Penh court ordered his detention pending
trial.
Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak told AFP the lawmaker used
the border issue to incite people to revolt against the government.
“He also incited racism between Cambodia and Vietnam. We cannot
accept this,” he added.
Under Cambodia’s criminal code he faces up to five years in jail if
convicted.
Strongman Hun Sen has repeatedly warned that anyone accusing the
government of using fake maps faces arrest.
Anti-Vietnamese sentiment is strong in parts of Cambodia and is often
used by the opposition as a touchstone issue to rally support.
Sam Sokong, a lawyer for Um Sam An, confirmed the charges with AFP
through a text message.
“His expression did not damage society,” he added.
Cambodia’s opposition party has long been critical of Phnom Penh’s
cosy ties with Hanoi and routinely accuses Vietnam of taking Cambodian territory along the 1,270-kilometre (787-mile) border, which is not fully demarcated.
The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) denounced the arrest of Um
Sam An as a “serious violation of the principle of parliamentary immunity”.
Parliament will discuss the case later Tuesday.