Phnom Penh , Dec. 26 – Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen warned to arrest exiled former opposition leader Sam Rainsy.
He announced Wednesday that the government has prepared jail and handcuffs for Sam Rainsy if the convict dared to repatriate, addressing in meeting with over 15,000 workers in Kompong Speu and Kandal provinces.
“I already prepared for you [Rainsy] to return home, as well as handcuffs and jail. May I invite the hero to Cambodia before or after the first of March,” the premier stated in response to Rainsy’s announcement to return home in 2019.
“If you dare not come as announced, you are not a human, but an animal,” he added.
Prime Minister Hun Sen said he will not ban any airlines to carry Sam Rainsy back home to any of three international airports in Cambodia.
He also called Rainsy a coward and selfish man for taking political career of his partner Kem Sokha as a bet.
Believing that Sokha’s pre-trail detention will end no later than 3 March 2019, Sam Rainsy dared Prime Minister Hun Sen to release former president Kem Sokha under the conditions that if Sokha released within the period of 29 December 2018 – 3 March 2018, the premier shall resign and that if not, Rainsy shall return home and be arrested.
Prime Minister confirmed shorty in an exclusive interview with Fresh News CEO Lim Chea Vutha that: “I bet with Sam Rainsy.”
Kem Sokha was temporarily detained on 5 September 2017, and was released on bail and put under judicial control on 9 September 2018. According to the criminal procedure of the Kingdom of Cambodia, the detention ordered by investigating judge on criminal offense can last up to six months and can be extended to another six months twice. The fact that Sam Rainsy stated the pre-trail detention will end no later than 3 March 2019 is a claim lacks of legal understanding and court procedures, Ministry of Justice wrote in the statement. Sam Rainsy should know that Kem Sokha was put under judicial control and that it is not under the framework of pre-trial detention.