Court issued arrest warrant against opposition leader Sam Rainsy

Monday 31 May 2010
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Last week, the Phnom Penh municipal court issued an arrest warrant for opposition leader Sam Rainsy after he did not show up to court based on two of his summonses. Sok Roeun, the deputy prosecutor of the Phnom Penh municipal court, told The Phnom Penh Post on Sunday that investigating Judge Ouen Sieng issued an arrest warrant for Sam Rainsy, however he added he does not know if the warrant is for bringing Sam Rainsy in for questioning or for arresting him. He said: “The issue of the summons depends on the judge. Based on the court legality, it must be done.” Ky Tech, the government lawyer, said on Sunday that, based on the court legality, this is what must be done. He added that when the court issues two summons to someone, and that person does not show up to court, then a warrant is issued. Chuong Chou-ngy, Sam Rainsy’s defense lawyer, told The Phnom Penh Post on Sunday that he did not know about the arrest warrant issued against Sam Rainsy and that he will meet the judge next week to confirm this issue. Chuong Chou-ngy declined to comment about this case.