Cambodia’s acting head of state and former prime minister Hun Sen pardons detained opposition leader Kem Sokha, multiple outlets report. Kem Sokha, 72, was arrested in 2017 on treason-related charges and later convicted in a trial that found him guilty of attempting to topple the government of the long-ruling Hun Sen. He is ordered to serve his punishment under a restricted status, including time under house arrest, according to one report.
The South China Morning Post adds that Kem Sokha was sentenced to 27 years for treason and that Hun Sen publicly announces the decision on social media. The announcement is accompanied by a royal decree signed by Hun Sen.
Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades, stepped down as prime minister in 2023 and transferred day-to-day governance to his eldest son. The pardon is reported as taking immediate effect, with outlets describing it as releasing Kem Sokha from his treason sentence and detention status, as reflected in the decree.
