Court ruling expected to dissolve main Cambodian opposition
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodia’s embattled opposition braced for a court ruling due Thursday that is widely expected to see the party dissolved in the latest move by authoritarian Prime Minister Hun Sen to remove threats to his power ahead of elections next year.
The government accuses the Cambodia National Rescue Party of involvement in a plot to topple the government and has asked the judiciary to dissolve it. CNRP officials have denied the charges, saying they are politically motivated.
Since Cambodia’s court system is not seen as independent of Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government, dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party is assured when the Supreme Court makes its ruling on Thursday, said Son Chhay, whip of the party, the only opposition group to hold seats in parliament.
“We have no hope that the Supreme Court’s verdict will be different to what Prime Minister Hun Sen wants,” he said. “Therefore, my party is likely to be dissolved.”