PHNOM PENH: A Spokesperson for the prosecution of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court involved in former CNRP leader Kem Sokha’s case has stated that promoting and guaranteeing human rights and democracy alone is not illegal, however, what is illegal is promoting the overthrow of the government.

In a statement dated Friday, 3 March 2023, the prosecution of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court said that after 66 hearings, held from 15 January 2020 to 21 December 2020, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court declared a final guilty verdict sentencing Kem Sokha to 27 years of house arrest for conspiring with foreign entities, along with the full denial of his political rights.

Sokha has been detained at his home in Boeung Kak 2 district, Phnom Penh, and will not be able to meet with anyone beside his family members.

The prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court stated, "Kem Sokha's occupation with human rights and democracy was only to plan a color revolution to overthrow the legal government."

"[Kem Sokha] used human rights and democracy as an excuse to call on members of the public to illegally plan a color revolution to overthrow the legal government, while conspiring with foreigners, foreign states or other foreign agencies," the prosecution added.

According to the court, 70-year-old Kem Sokha served foreign entities from 1993 until 3 September 2017. The court, however, did not disclose the names of the foreign states or agencies involved with Kem Sokha, stating that it is of national interest to still maintain good relations with these foreign entities, hence, the names will not be revealed to the public.