Press Release

Statement of the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh

Phnom Penh, Cambodia

August 9, 2005

The United States Embassy condemns the August 9 conviction by a military court of opposition parliamentarian Cheam Channy and the conviction in absentia of Kong Piseth on charges of fraud and establishment of an illegal armed group. The conduct of the trial raises again questions about the competence and independence of Cambodia's judiciary, and constitutes further intimidation of opposition voices. We urge appropriate review of this case so that justice can be served. We again call on the Cambodian National Assembly immediately to restore the immunity of the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) parliamentarians that was stripped by the National Assembly February 3, an action we strongly condemned.

Released on August 9, 2005