French Appeal Court ruled that Sam Rainsy had defamed Hor Namhong

Hor Namhong vs. Sam Rainsy

By Khmerization
Source: DAP News

The French Appeal Court had upheld a lower court verdict that found opposition leader Sam Rainsy guilty of defaming Foreign Minister Hor Namhong in May, but did not publicly release the verdict, reports Deum Ampil.

However, on Tuesday 15th June, Foreign Minister Hor Namhong held a press conference to announce the French Appeal Court verdict. He announced publicly that the verdict was in his favour and that the court asked Mr. Sam Rainsy to pay a nominal compensation amount of 1 euro to him. He said the compensation amount is symbolic, but it is a testimony to his innocence that he was not involved in the Khmer Rouge crimes as alleged by Mr. Rainsy and that it will help restore his good reputation.

Mr. Yim Sovan, spokesman for the Sam Rainsy Party, declined to comment when reached by telephone.

Mr. Hor Namhong was chief of Boeng Trobek Re-Education Centre in Phnom Penh during the Khmer Rouge regime where many diplomats from former regimes have been housed and then sent to their deaths at Tuol Sleng Torture Centre. However, Mr. Hor Hamhong, who has claimed to have lost 30 members of his family during the Khmer Rouge regime, denied any involvements in the Khmer Rouge crimes.