Cambodian dissident cleared in defamation trial in France

Cambodian opponent in exile and leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy, speaks to the press as he arrives 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, Oct 11, 2022 (AFP): A French court on Monday evening (Oct 10) cleared veteran Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy of all charges in defamation cases brought by the prime minister and a top police official of his home country.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his son-in-law and deputy national police chief, Dy Vichea, had filed complaints against France-based Rainsy, 73, over Facebook posts dating back to 2019.