Cambodia court sentences exiled opposition figure to life in jail

(FILES) In this file photo taken on September 1, 2022 Cambodian opponent in exile and leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) Sam Rainsy speaks to the press as he arrives at a court house in Paris, accused in a defamation lawsuit filed by Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen. - Cambodia's strongman ruler Hun Sen on October 20, 2022 promised to "isolate and finish" exiled opposition figure Sam Rainsy, vowing his bones would never make it back to the kingdom. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)

PHNOM PENH (AFP): Cambodia sentenced exiled opposition figure Sam Rainsy (pic) to life imprisonment on Wednesday (Oct 19) for allegedly attempting to cede territory to a foreign entity, according to a court ruling.

The case related to the politician's promises to protect the rights of the country's indigenous people, who continue to face discrimination mostly over land rights.