Cambodian opposition leader to remain abroad until charges dropped

A member of the Cambodian opposition Sam Rainsy Party says the party's leader will not return to the country while charges remain against him. Sam Rainsy has been charged with inciting racial hatred and destruction of property. An arrest warrant was issued after he failed to appear in court to hear the charges, which he has described as politically motivated.

Presenter: Bo Hill
Speakers: Hing Yoeun, member, Sam rainsy Party Steering Committee

HILL: The charges Sam Rainsy faces relate to an incident on the Cambodia-Vietnam border in October. He's alleged to have incited racial hatred and destroyed property after border markers were removed. Sam Rainsy party member, Hing Yoeun says the opposition leader was doing nothing wrong.

HING YOUEN: On 25 October 2009, the people in the village run to him and complain to him that the Vietnamese side plan to make a border at their rice fields.

HILL: Sam Rainsy claims he was simply helping the villages in Cok Bahn to save their rice fields, and Hing Yoeun says the party and its leader believe the charges are politically motivated.

HING YOEUN: The judicial system in Cambodia is not justice, it's is only the tool of the government and the ruling party.

HILL: Sam Rainsy is currently in France, having left Cambodia before the court appearance order was issued. He's told Reuters news agency he will let the court prosecute him in absentia because the verdict was already decided. Hing Yoeun says Sam Rainsy will pursue the case through diplomatic means from abroad, rather than through the Cambodia court system. But the incident is already a diplomatic issue. A long-running Cambodia-Vietnam border dispute was laid to rest three years ago when the border was official marked, but there are still localised concerns. Hing Yoeun says Cambodian authorities moved against the opposition leader because of pressure from Vietnam, whose investment dollars Cambodia has tried hard to attract.

HING YOEUN: Yes of course because the prime minister of Vietnam said that Cambodia have to avoid the similar action caused by Sam Rainsy in the future.

HILL: Hing Yoeun has hinted that Sam Rainsy, who was educated in France, will remain in Paris for the foreseeable future, and may seek political asylum there. He also said two locals from Cok Bahn village involved in the border marker incident have been arrested, and warrants have been issued for three others.