Candlelight Party’s Son Chhay charged with defaming Cambodia's ruling CPP

Candlelight Party vice-president Son Chhay leaves the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 12, 2022. - PPP

PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network): The Phnom Penh Municipal Court has charged Candlelight Party vice-president Son Chhay with “public defamation” in a case brought by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) over his critical comments on the June 5 commune council elections.

Deputy prosecutor Plang Sophal said in an Aug 9 decision letter – made public on Aug 11 – that Chhay has been officially charged under Article 305 of the Criminal Code, for his June 7 interview with the online news outlet Cambodia Daily.