The Cambodian government has accused Western countries of interfering in its politics and of "arrogance" for condemning the 27-year prison sentence handed down to opposition leader Kem Sokha on charges of treason, according to the French Press Agency. Cambodian courts issued the ruling against Kem Sokha, one of the founders of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party, for allegedly colluding with foreign entities to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has been in power since 1985.
U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy, who was present in court, denounced the trial and described the verdict as a "judicial error" based on a "fabricated conspiracy." The United Nations, the European Union, France, Australia, and Britain have expressed concern over the case and the state of democracy in Cambodia ahead of the general elections scheduled for July.
