AKP Phnom Penh, October 08, 2012
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA-IC) has issued a statement in response to some adverse reactions concerning the case of Mr. Mom Sonando, President of the Association of Democrats of Cambodia and Director of the Beehive Radio and his accomplices.
According to the statement dated last Friday, the Spokesperson of the MFA-IC made a clarification as follows:
“1-The case of Mr. Mom Sonando and his accomplices is not about the freedom of expression or the independence and impartially of the court in Cambodia. It is also not a politically-motivated case, as some have falsely alleged. Cambodia is a democratic and an open society, and respects the due process of law.
2- Mr. Mom Sonando is the Mastermind of the SECESSIONIST movement, as some key witnesses have testified against him before the court. At the same time, the court has convicted him based on evidence beyond any reason of doubt.
3. The case of Mr. Mom Sonando is completely a separate, individual case, which has nothing to do with the overall freedom of expression. To be sure, his radio station (The Beehive Radio) remains functioning, while his Association of the Democrats of Cambodia continues to be operational.
4. However, it is easy and tempting for outsiders to make sweeping unsubstantiated statements on the case of Mr. Mom Sonando. Those statements have attempted to influence the Court of Law in Cambodia, which undermines the independence and impartibility of the Court.
5. As a State of Law, Cambodia must implement its legal process and will not allow any secession to take place in the country.”
Mr. Mom Sonando was arrested on July 15, 2012 in connection with a so-called secessionist plot in Kratie, a northeastern part of Cambodia and in early this month, Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted him for 20 years in jail and fined 10 million Riel (about US$2,500).
By KHAN Sophirom
The Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MFA-IC) has issued a statement in response to some adverse reactions concerning the case of Mr. Mom Sonando, President of the Association of Democrats of Cambodia and Director of the Beehive Radio and his accomplices.
According to the statement dated last Friday, the Spokesperson of the MFA-IC made a clarification as follows:
“1-The case of Mr. Mom Sonando and his accomplices is not about the freedom of expression or the independence and impartially of the court in Cambodia. It is also not a politically-motivated case, as some have falsely alleged. Cambodia is a democratic and an open society, and respects the due process of law.
2- Mr. Mom Sonando is the Mastermind of the SECESSIONIST movement, as some key witnesses have testified against him before the court. At the same time, the court has convicted him based on evidence beyond any reason of doubt.
3. The case of Mr. Mom Sonando is completely a separate, individual case, which has nothing to do with the overall freedom of expression. To be sure, his radio station (The Beehive Radio) remains functioning, while his Association of the Democrats of Cambodia continues to be operational.
4. However, it is easy and tempting for outsiders to make sweeping unsubstantiated statements on the case of Mr. Mom Sonando. Those statements have attempted to influence the Court of Law in Cambodia, which undermines the independence and impartibility of the Court.
5. As a State of Law, Cambodia must implement its legal process and will not allow any secession to take place in the country.”
Mr. Mom Sonando was arrested on July 15, 2012 in connection with a so-called secessionist plot in Kratie, a northeastern part of Cambodia and in early this month, Phnom Penh Municipal Court convicted him for 20 years in jail and fined 10 million Riel (about US$2,500).
By KHAN Sophirom
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