Written by DAP NEWS
Cambodian opposition party lawmaker Ho Vann may not be present at Phnom Penh Municipal Court on September 9 to hear the verdict in the case against him as he is now overseas, according to a Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) source on Tuesday.The summons was issued on Wednesday last week by Municipal Court Deputy Prosecutor Sok Roeun.
Prosecutors sent a letter dated August 19 recalling Ho Vann to face the court over charges of the defamation of 22 senior armed forces officials.
Ho Vann (picture) did not appear in the court on July 17 as he was overseas.
SRP spokesperson on Tuesday declined to give comment to DAP News Cambodia over Ho Vann’s case because of a lack of information.
SRP source told DAP News Cambodia that it was unclear whether Ho Vann would return to Cambodia for the hearing. Defense lawyers for the 22 government senior armed force officials on Tuesday also declined to comment on the case.
Taing Meng Sroy apologized to DAP News Cambodia and referred questions to court officials. Sok Reoun, Phnom Penh court deputy prosecutor, declined to provide details related to the case.
“I am not aware of Ho Vann’s presence. We are waiting,” said Sok Roeun, “The court will proceed as normal.”
Ou Virak, Cambodian Human Right Center director, on Tuesday said that Ho Vann will not show at court as he is attending a ceremony in the US. “He is busy with his trip,” he added.
Ou Virak suggested the court delay its hearing until the SRP lawmaker can be present. Defamation cases should not be brought against opposition party officials, he said.
On the morning of June 22, 2009, the National Assembly, controlled by the majority ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) approved the suspension of Ho Vann’s parliamentary immunity.
The request for immunity suspension came from a Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor via the Ministry of Justice, to pave the way for the court to bring lawsuits from Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF).
Ho Vann was sued earlier this year by the RCAF officials after he made comments to a local newspaper about the officers’ academic degrees that were awarded by a Vietnamese military institute.
Recently one SRP lawmaker, Mu Sochua, lost a defamation case against Prime Minister Hun Sen.
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