The prince’s political career ends?
Whether it is the time for the Prince Norodom Ranariddh’s political career to reach an end after series of problem has been taken legal action. On March 13, the prince was sentenced in absentia to 18 months in prison for breach of trust over allegation that he sold Funcinpec’s headquarters in 2005 for personal benefit and ordered him to pay $150,000 in compensation by Phnom Penh Municipal court, while he is outside the country.
During a graduation ceremony at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Prime Minister Hun Sen warned that he will not request a royal pardon for the prince if he was found the breach of trust’s conviction. He also proposed the court to prosecute him to stay in jail at least two thirds of the prison term.
The prince was granted a full pardon by then-King Norodom Sihanouk after he was sentenced earlier that month to 35 years in imprisonment for plotting a coup with the Khmer Rouge and illegally buying and transporting weapons before the factional fighting in 1997.
At the mean times, an adviser to the prince Ranariddh said that “The legal action against Prince Ranariddh is aimed at preventing him from campaigning.â€
The Cambodia daily quoted Koul Panha, director of the committee for Free and Fair Elections, as saying that “Hun Sen’s speech will likely influence the court. The fairness of the commune elections will be tainted if Prince Ranariddh is unable to campaign.â€
Recently, the Phnom Penh municipal court announced that the prince has also been charged for breaking the controversial monogamy law over his alleged extramarital activities. If he is found guilty, he will face one month to one year behind bar.
Looking for help in Europe, the Prince has begun a Europe tour to urge European governments to reconsider their support to Cambodia’s judiciary. The countries he currently visits such as Belgium, Span, Portugal, Germany and France.
The supporters to the Prince criticized the court is not independent, politically motivated and biased to ruling party. But the CPP’s senior officials responded that the court is independent and not politically motivated.
If the prince will not be granted pardon, what will happen to his party and political career in both the 2007 commune elections and the 2008 national election? There is only one way for the prince to request a pardon from either King Norodom Sihamoni or the National Assembly. That is the good solution for him to return to country to continue his political career.
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Comments
Samdech Hun Sen should leave this affair to the judges.
He’s one of the too good-hearted Khmer leaders who always spend his time to preside over in the certificate distribution ceremonies and to inaugurate pagodas.
Let divide the country to 3 parts. 1st to Vietnam 2nd to Thailand and the 3rd WATPHNOM only to samdech Hun Sen.After that Khmer going to be OK.
if this possible, what is the legislation mean?. the prince or high range people do bad, they can be forgiven by the king. How about the people?.
Bullshit world!!!!!!!!
I believe the Prince deserve to be in jail and must terminated from political process
because he’s not the person to lead Cambodian people.