Cambodian dissident fights defamation claims at French trial after complaints from Hun Sen and son

Lawyer Jessica Finelle (left) walks with her client Cambodian opponent in exile and leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy (L), as they arrive at the court house accused in a defamation lawsuit filed by Cambodia's prime minister, in Paris on September 1, 2022. Longstanding Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy face a French court on September 1, 2022, in defamation cases brought against him by top officials in his home country. Rainsy, 73, was targeted with two separate complaints by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son-in-law and deputy national police chief, Dy Vichea, over Facebook posts dating back to 2019. - AFP

PARIS, Sept 3, 2022 (AFP): Veteran Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy went on trial in France on Thursday (Sept 1) in defamation cases brought against him by the prime minister and a top police official of his home country.

The France-based Rainsy, 73, is accused in relation to two separate complaints filed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son-in-law and deputy national police chief, Dy Vichea, over Facebook posts dating back to 2019.