Cambodia king pardons jailed opposition lawmaker

AFP  |  Phnom Penh 

An outspoken Cambodian opposition lawmaker was pardoned by royal decree and released today, the first member of a now-dissolved political party to be freed a month after won a virtually uncontested election.

The lead-up to the July 29 poll -- which Western democracies have slammed -- was marked by a clampdown on activists, journalists and the opposition National Rescue Party (CNRP), paving a clear path for the authoritarian to extend his 33-year rule of by another five years.

Released today was Um Sam An, a dual Cambodian-US national sentenced to two and a half years in prison in late 2016 over his criticism of for using contested maps as a guideline to demarcating the border with

The royal pardon from said the 40-year-old lawmaker had been convicted for "inciting crime and racism" with his actions.

The decree did not provide a reason for his early release.

The CNRP had campaigned on the sensitive issue of border demarcation between and in the previous election, causing critics to question some of the used by lawmakers.

In an interview with government-aligned media, Um Sam An said his newfound freedom was a chance to "reconcile the nation".

"Regardless of opposition party or the ruling party, we can love and work together to...protect our border," he said in an interview broadcast on Live.

He added that 14 more lawmakers remain behind bars in Prey Sar prison, where he was jailed, while many others -- like CNRP -- are scattered in provinces across the country.

More than half the opposition party fled Cambodia last year in fear of being imprisoned under trumped up charges.

Since his ruling party swept all 125 parliament seats last month, has requested pardons for four land rights campaigners including prominent activist Tep

Vanny, who was released earlier this week.

A day later, two journalists who worked for US-backed broadcaster Radio Free received bail after ten months of detention.

On Thursday, Hun Sen said he plans to pardon 12 more who had written him apology letters, but warned that the process would be "put on hold" if anyone comments that he was under pressure from the international community.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

First Published: Sat, August 25 2018. 19:10 IST