Jail sentence for temple lighting critic

Moeung Son (L) with lawyer Sok Sam Oeun during a press conference about the Angkor Wat lighting.

By Robert Carmichael

for Radio Australia

Human rights groups in Cambodia have condemned a two-year jail sentence handed down against the head of a nationalist charity.

The leader of the Khmer Civilisation Foundation was convicted in his absence for suggesting newly installed lighting at the historic Angkor Wat temple complex would damage the 11th century monument's stonework.

Moeung Sonn, who holds dual French-Cambodian citizenship, fled to France in June after the Government announced he would be charged with incitement and spreading false information.

Angkor Wat temple is the pre-eminent symbol of Cambodia and the Government said his comments could lead to civil unrest.

The court issued an arrest warrant for Moeung Sonn should he return.

It is the latest in a series of cases brought by the Government against people it perceives as critics.

One opposition MP said the Government was treating its opponents as "enemies of the state".

Human rights groups are appalled, with one describing Moeung Sonn's sentence as a grave injustice.

More cases brought by the Government are heading to court in coming weeks.