Cambodia's Royal Palace announced today that King Norodom Sihamoni issued a royal decree pardoning former opposition leader Kem Sokha.

The royal decree specifies that the pardon applies only to the prison sentence and does not include additional penalties imposed by the appeals court last month. Consequently, he remains banned from leaving Cambodia for five years.

Kem Sokha, co-founder and former president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was sentenced to 27 years in prison in 2023 for conspiracy to overthrow the government. The appeals court upheld the verdict against Kem Sokha in April, but allowed him to serve his sentence under house arrest in the capital, Phnom Penh.

Former Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha in Phnom Penh on 25/5. Photo: AFP

The decree also instructs Prime Minister Hun Manet to oversee the implementation of the royal decision, which took effect immediately upon the King's signature.

Acting Head of State Hun Sen later announced on social media that Kem Sokha had been pardoned, accompanied by the royal decree he co-signed. Under the Cambodian constitution, as acting Head of State, Hun Sen can sign and approve royal decrees in certain circumstances.

In a letter to the appeals court dated 25/5, the former opposition leader stated he would not appeal to the Supreme Court, despite being "dissatisfied" with the ruling.

"Resolving this issue with a spirit of reconciliation through dialogue between Khmers is the best option for the national interest and the Cambodian people", he wrote.

Kem Sokha, 72, was arrested in 2017 on accusations of a "secret plan" to collude with the United States to overthrow the government of then-Prime Minister Hun Sen. Kem Sokha repeatedly denied the charges.

The CNRP was dissolved in 2017 for colluding with foreigners to overthrow the government. Sam Rainsy, who co-founded the CNRP with Kem Sokha, is living in exile in France and was sentenced in absentia by a Phnom Penh court in 2022 to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to overthrow the government.

Huyen Le (According to AFP, Khmer Times)