The prosecutor gives reasons why Mrs Mu Sochua's suit against PM Hun Sen was dismissed
Mrs. Mu Sochua (L) and Mr. Kong Sam Onn, her lawyer, leaving court a few days ago. Source: Khmer Sthapana newspaper Reported in English by Khmerization Mr. Hing Bun Chea, the Phnom Penh Court deputy prosecutor, had issued a three page statement explaining the reasons why Mrs. Mu Sochua's suit against Prime Minister Hun Sen was dismissed, reports Khmer Sthapana. In the statement dated 11th June, Mr. Hing Bun Chea said that, firstly, Prime Minister Hun Sen did not defame Mr. Mu Sochua because his public speech, which was the subject of the suit, was a general speech that did not mention anyone by name. Secondly, the word "moukh Krass" (thick face) that the PM used in the speech was not directed at any particular person, including Mrs. Mu Sochua. It was a general adivce given to the general public to behave appropriately. Thirdly, the PM's speech has no ill intention to cause any hurt, to defame or to insult any individual, including Mrs. Mu Sochua. The statement added that, as a matter of laws the court has no ground to charge PM Hun Sen for defamation and therefore Mrs. Mu Sochua's suit against him is dismissed. Mr. Ky Tech, Mr. Hun Sen's lawyer, was quoted by the Cambodia Daily as saying that he heard Mr. Sok Roeun, the court prosecutor, said that the court will request the parliament to strip Mrs. Mu Sochua's parliamentary immunity so the court can proceed to charge her in accordance with Mr. Hun Sen's counter-suit against her. Mr. Ky Tech was quoted as very ecstatic about the news as he said that this is a justice for his client who has been villified in this legal saga. Mr. Kong Sam Onn, Mrs. Mu Sochua's lawyer, said that, up until now, he has heard nothing about the planned lifting of Mrs. Mu Sochua's parliamentary immunity. Mrs. Mu Sochua lodged a defamation suit against Mr. Hun Sen on 27th May, but her suit was dismissed on 10th June on the grounds outlined by Mr. Hing Bun Chea's above. According to everyday.com's report, Mrs Mu Sochua has indicated that she will lodge an appeal against the dismissal of her case. Everyday.com quoted Mrs. Mu Sochua as saying that she is very disappointing with the court decision. She referred to the court decision as "this is a danger to the defence of human rights" in Cambodia. She added: "This is very unjust. I have all the proof, even the Samdech (Hun Sen) has also admitted that he did make those comments." She further added that "I have not received one bit of justice from the judicial system" in Cambodia. ------------------------ [Circus HunSeninfamus Kangaroo] Court To Request Suspension of [SRP] Lawmaker's Immunity By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer Original report from Phnom Penh 12 June 2009 Phnom Penh Municipal Court is prepared to ask the National Assembly to suspend the immunity of an opposition parliamentarian embroiled in a defamation suit by the prime minister, a lawyer said Friday. The Sam Rainsy Party lawmaker, Mu Sochua, filed suit against Hun Sen in April, alleging degrading remarks in the 2008 election campaign. Hun Sen countersued against the accusation. The court has dropped the suit against Hun Sen, but it is continuing its case against Mu Sochua. Civic groups have called for both to drop their cases. "The prosecutor has requested the National Assembly to suspend Mu Sochua's immunity, and the request was signed by deputy prosecutor Sok Roeun," Ky Tech, Hun Sen's lawyer, said Friday. Sok Roeun declined comment Friday. Mu Sochua said she had not yet seen a court request to suspend her immunity. Ny Chakrya, an investigator for the rights group Adhoc, said both suits were undertaken for "political interests." "We should not take political items to the court system, affecting the independence of the court system," he said. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Cambodia Discussion (CAMDISC) - www.cambodia.org" group. This is an unmoderated forum. Please refrain from using foul language. Thank you for your understanding. Peace among us and in Cambodia. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/camdisc Learn more - http://www.cambodia.org -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
