Cambodian Court Convicts Opposition Leader of Defamation

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — In a significant ruling on Thursday, a Cambodian court found Teav Vannol, president of the opposition Candlelight Party, guilty of defamation, imposing a hefty $1.5 million damages payment to the government. Vannol, who holds dual Cambodian-U.S. citizenship, was absent during the court proceedings and is believed to be outside the country. This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the Cambodian government's use of the judiciary to suppress dissent and target political adversaries. The defamation charges stemmed from Vannol's comments criticizing the current government led by Prime Minister Hun Manet, who succeeded his father, Hun Sen, after 38 years in power. Vannol had publicly stated that democracy was deteriorating under Hun Manet's leadership, describing it as more "restrictive" than that of his predecessor. His remarks reflect a broader sentiment among opposition figures and activists who have faced increasing repression, including arrests and harassment. Critics argue that the Cambodian People’s Party, which has maintained a strong grip on power, manipulates the electoral and judicial systems to stifle opposition. The ruling party's influence over the election body and courts has raised alarms about the fairness of the political landscape, as evidenced by previous cases against opposition members, including a substantial fine imposed on another party vice president for similar defamation claims. Vannol retains the right to appeal the ruling, first to the Appeal Court and potentially to the Supreme Court, where a final decision could lead to severe financial and legal repercussions, including imprisonment if he cannot meet the imposed penalties.