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The Supreme Court on Monday heard the opposition Nation Power Party’s advisor, Rong Chhun’s appeal against an incitement conviction and permanent barring from politics, with a verdict set for June 19.
On Monday’s hearing, over 500 supporters gathered outside the court compound, holding banners and chanting “drop charge”, and calling for the court to grant freedom to Chhun after he lost his appeal against an incitement conviction in April this year.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court in May 2025 sentenced him to four years in prison, fined him four million riel (about $1,000), and stripped him of his right to vote and stand for election.
Rights groups and opposition figures denounced Chhun’s legal process as “unjust and politically-motivated”.
Chhun, a former head of the Cambodia Confederation of Unions, and current advisor to the opposition Nation Power Party, urged the Supreme Court to acquit him and restore his political right to ensure a free and fair commune election.
“I hope that the court will provide justice for me and restore my freedom so that I can continue my political career,” Chhun told supporters outside the court this morning.
“I also hope the court will demonstrate national reconciliation and national unity, which could begin with my case,” he said.
He said the judicial system plays an important role in promoting social justice, especially for those whose voices are often unheard.
“I have asked court officials not to arbitrarily pursue incitement charges against activists and politicians when police have forwarded cases to the court. We have never seen justice provided equally to opposition voices,” Chhun said.
Rights group Licadho’s operations director, Am Sam Ath, said that depriving a person of their political right is contrary to the spirit of the Constitution, which guarantees all citizens the right to participate in politics and vote.
“Rong Chhun is a politician. When his political rights are taken away, he loses important civic rights and is unable to fully participate in political activities,” Sam Ath said.
“When his right to stand for election is revoked, he cannot contest in elections, support his party effectively, including maintaining the party’s reputation,” he said.
