PHNOM PENH (AP) – A prominent leader of Cambodia’s political opposition was convicted and sentenced yesterday to 18 months in prison for issuing worthless checks four years ago, in a case that his party has called politically motivated.
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued its verdict against Thach Setha, a vice president of the Candlelight Party, after finding that he had issued several bounced checks in 2019, said his lawyer, Sam Sokong.
The lawyer said the court also ordered Thach Setha to pay USD33,400 to the company which filed the lawsuit accusing him of issuing bad checks. He called the verdict unacceptable and said he would meet Thach Setha soon to discuss filing an appeal.
The case is the first major legal ruling issued against government opponents since Hun Manet became the country’s new prime minister in August. He had been army commander, and succeeded his father Hun Sen, who stepped down after 38 years in power.
Thach Setha was arrested in January this year even though his Candlelight Party had sought to meet the plaintiff to discuss a settlement and promised to find a way to pay the money that Thach Setha owed.
