Cambodia says radio owner convicted of "secessionist plot, not political motivation"

 Xinhua 
2012-10-6


Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Mam Sonando, owner of the Beehive Radio and president of the Association of Democrats, and his accomplices were convicted of"secessionist movement, not either political motivation or freedom of expression".

"The case of Mam Sonando and his accomplices is not about the freedom of expression or the independence and impartiality of the court in Cambodia,"said a statement of the spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released late Friday."It is also not a politically-motivated case."

The statement added that Mam Sonando is"the mastermind of the secessionist movement"as some key witnesses have testified against him before the court and the court has convicted him based on evidence.

"As a state of law, Cambodia must implement its legal process and will not allow any secession to take place in the country,"it said.

It added that the case of Mam Sonando is completely a separate, individual case, which has nothing to do with the overall freedom of expression."To be sure, his radio station remains functioning, while his Association of the Democrats of Cambodia continues to be operational."

The government's reaction was made after some donor countries, human rights organizations and civil society criticized Cambodian court for convicting Mam Sonando of masterminding the secessionist plot and sentencing him to 20 years in jail on Monday.

The conviction was made after the court found that Mam Sonando masterminded a plot to establish an autonomous region in eastern Kratie province in May. At that time, there was a violent clash between the government forces and illegal land holders. As a result, a 14-year-old girl was shot dead by government forces.

Mam Sonando was arrested on July 15 at his house in Phnom Penh.

The court also sentenced in absentia his accomplices including Bun Ratha to 30 years in jail, Kong Tong 15 years in jail, Bun Chhorn 15 years, and an arrest warrant was also issued for the three fugitives.