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Cambodia Upholds 27-Year Treason Sentence for Opposition Leader

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Cambodian appeals court upheld a 27-year treason sentence against former opposition leader Kem Sokha and kept him under house arrest.
The court also barred Sokha from leaving Cambodia for five years after his sentence ends.
The U.S. State Department said it was “troubled” by the decision, joining criticism from Britain, Germany and Australia.
Lawyer Pheng Heng called the ruling regrettable and urged the ruling party to pursue national reconciliation.

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Story summary

Cambodian appeals court upheld a 27-year treason sentence against former opposition leader Kem Sokha and kept him under house arrest.
The court also barred Sokha from leaving Cambodia for five years after his sentence ends.
The U.S. State Department said it was “troubled” by the decision, joining criticism from Britain, Germany and Australia.
Lawyer Pheng Heng called the ruling regrettable and urged the ruling party to pursue national reconciliation.