Families of former CNRP activists hold a banner and gather in front of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Thursday to protest their relatives' arrests and convictions.

The Phnom Penh Municipal Court this morning sentenced 12 jailed former members of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and one Interior Ministry official to 5 years in prison (with 16 months suspended), meaning the men will serve a total of 3 years and 8 months in prison on charges of incitement and plotting. They are all scheduled to be detained through the national elections in 2023.

Additionally, seven former CNRP leaders – including Sam Rainsy, Mu Sochua and Eng Chai Eang - were convicted in absentia on charges of incitement, plotting, and inciting military personnel to disobedience, and sentenced to a total of 10 years in prison. Warrants for their arrest were also issued.

The “inciting military personnel to disobedience” charge was originally filed against 21 defendants, but was dropped against those currently detained in the country and another man, Hin Chann, who was originally imprisoned alongside the 13 but later released. Chann today was sentenced to five years in prison for incitement and plotting, but had his entire sentence suspended.
The 13 detained men are Chhon Bunchhat, Long Phary, Khut Chroeb, Ngin Phea, Yim Sareth, Khoem Pheana, Thai Sokunthea, Keo Thai, Nhaem Van, Chum Chan, Sok Chantha, Peat Mab, and Sun Thun. Some of them have served more than two years in pre-trial detention in Correctional Centre 1 prison.
The judge did not provide any reasoning for the verdict.

Inside the courtroom, family members cried as the verdict was read, while defendants shouted that the verdict was an injustice. Outside the courthouse, wives and family members of the detained political activists – known as the “Friday Women” – gathered and held a sign that said “Justice for the Khmers Patriots”. The group of women have protested regularly for the release of their family members since their arrests, and have regularly been beaten or harassed by authorities.

The trial was one of the four mass trials launched against former members and supporters of the CNRP in November 2020. Evidence presented in the case included videos of speeches and meetings made in connection with the “Cambodia National Rescue Movement” abroad, as well as comments on the government or its response to COVID-19 which were made online or in private phone calls. The convictions bar any of the individuals from holding leadership positions in a political party under 2017 amendments to the Law on Political Parties.