SRP apeals for a candlelight vigil in front of the Phnom Penh Court to call for justice for MP Mu Sochua

Source: Khmer Sthapana newspaper
Reported in English by Khmerization

The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) has called on all its supporters to come for a candlelight vigil in front of the Phnom Penh Court on the morning of Friday 24th July where Ms Mu Sochua (pictured) is scheduled to attend a court hearing for a defamation case lodged against her by Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Mr. Chan Soveth, investigator for human right group Adhoc said the candlelight vigil is a freedom of expression that calls for real justice from the judicial system, therefore it should not be forbidden by the municipal authority.

Mr. Chan Soveth added that, the trial of Ms Mu Sochua, who is representing herself after her lawyer, Mr. Kong Sam Onn resigned under political pressures, will attract great attention from the international community.

Gen. Touch Naroth, Phnom Penh Police Commissioner, said he is busy when contacted by telephone by a Khmer Sthapana journalist in regard to the permission for the candlelignth vigil. In the past, the Phnom Penh police has forbidden such gathering by saying that they posed security threats to the city.