A senior advisor of opposition Nation Power Party (NPP), Rong Chhun, appeared at Wednesday’s hearing on charges of incitement to disturb social security – allegations which were linked to comments he made about border issues between Cambodia and Vietnam.
The verdict will be announced on May 5.
The charge stemmed from a video clip recorded in July in Kandal’s Koh Thom district, where he addressed party members and criticized the government’s ignorance of human rights and democracy. In the clip, he allegedly says that Cambodia “ranked number one in fraud, online crime, and kidnapping”.
He also gave an interview to Radio Free Asia (RFA) regarding Prime Minister Hun Manet’s visit to the border area with Vietnam. In the interview, Chhun was quoted as saying that there were “irregularities” in 84% of the demarcation of border posts between the two countries.
“I am not admitting the incitement charge against me,” Chhun said in the courtroom. He maintained that his comments were “simply a politician’s opinion”, and nothing untoward occurred as a result of what he said.
However, he admitted meeting his party members and villagers. “I am a politician, if I don’t go down to meet with villagers, how can I do politics,” he said.
Chhun has repeatedly defended his right not to answer, as the prosecutor and the judge focused their questions on whether he acknowledged making the statements in the video clip and audio broadcast by RFA.
“I do not want to verify my speech [again]. I am maintaining my right not to answer,” Chhun said, noting that artificial intelligence (AI) could be used to mimic his voice. He urged the court to acquit his charges.
Prosecutor Seng Heang requested the judge to consider sentencing Chhun, despite his denial of the charges. He emphasized that Chhun was a “repeat offender”, having been convicted in 2021 for similar comments regarding the demarcation of border posts between Cambodia and Vietnam.
“Where is the evidence to prove that Cambodia ranks number one in fraud and online crime? There is nothing,” Heang said. “This is exaggerated information,” he said, stating that other countries were also affected by online scam issues.
“Secondly, there is no evidence to support the claim of 84% irregularity in the demarcation posts,” Heang said, adding that the defendant is not an expert on border affairs.
Defense lawyer Choung Choungy echoed his client’s innocence, arguing that Chhun’s comments were an expression of opinion and were intended to address the issue in the public’s interest.
“It is an expression of opinion, not incitement,” he said. “We ask whether fraud cases have occurred. Yes, they have, and there are oknha [tycoons] who have committed fraud.”
He noted that Chhun was merely commenting on facts of events which already occurred, such as the 20% cut to the EBA (Everything but Arms) preferential tariff, the lack of US generalized system of preferences review, and the dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party.
Human rights NGO Adhoc president Ny Sokha, who attended the trial, urged the court to drop the charges against Chhun as a demonstration of commitment to restoring human rights and reversing the country’s democratic backsliding.
“As we have observed, this is an exercise of the right to freedom of expression and political opinion. I see no grounds for the incitement charges,” he said.
Chhun, a prominent labor leader and outspoken political figure, formerly led the Cambodian Confederation of Unions and the Cambodian Independent Teachers’ Association (CITA). He also served as a member of the National Election Committee (NEC).
In 2018, he was one of six union leaders handed two-and-a-half-year suspended sentences for “intentional acts of violence with aggravating circumstances,” stemming from their alleged roles in the violent protests on Veng Sreng Boulevard in Phnom Penh.
