Govt. lawyer: Mu Sochua could face jail

Mu Sochua raised a big candle in defiance.

By Khmerization
Source: CEN

Lawyer for Prime Minister Hun Sen said Mu Sochua could face jail term if she refused to pay fines and compensation to Mr. Hun Sen after the Supreme Court upheld a lower court verdict that she is guilty of defaming the PM, reports Cambodian Express News.

Mr. Ky Tek, lawyer for Mr. Hun Sen, said on 5th June that, according to articles 523-530 of the Criminal Codes, those who lost the case has to pay the fines within 10 days of the court's verdict. "If the convict did not pay the fines voluntarily within 10 days or refused to pay the fines, the prosecutor will limit a time frame for the payment of the fines within 10 days. If the person still refuse to pay, the person can be physically detained which is the same as imprisonment for the duration of one year", he said.

Mr. Ky Tek added that the court has no power to confiscate Mrs. Mu Sochua's assets, but according to articles 523-530 of the Criminal Codes it has the power to imprison her.

On 2nd June, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court's verdict which found her guilty of defaming Prime Minister Hun Sen and ordered her to pay Prime Minister Hun Sen 16 million riels ($4,000). She said steadfastly that she did nothing wrong and therefore her conscience told her not to pay the fines.

In 2009, Mrs. Mu Sochua sued Mr. Hun Sen when he publicly called her a "cheung klang" or "strong leg" which can be equated to "a hustler". However, her lawsuit was immediately dismissed by the court and in turn it allowed Mr. Hun Sen to sue her for defamation, saying she had defamed him for accusing him of defaming her.