The opposition CNRP yesterday reaffirmed
Mr Sokha was last week charged by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court with treason for conspiring with a foreign power. The offence is punishable by 15 to 30 years in jail.
Mr Hun Sen has threatened to dissolve the CNRP if the party keeps protecting Mr Sokha, whom he has branded a puppet of the US.
“Traitors cannot be tolerated,” Mr Hun Sen on Monday.
“If a political party continues to protect this traitor, this is also treasonous. If treason was conspired by the whole party that party could be dissolved under the law on political parties.”
Speaking at a press briefing at the party’s headquarters yesterday, chief whip and lawmaker Son Chhay responded to Mr Hun Sen’s comments.
“His Excellency Kem Sokha was imprisoned, but the court has not yet found him guilty and according to Article 38 of the constitution, he is still innocent so he is still president of the CNRP,” Mr Chhay said, noting all CNRP members still supported him and would fight for him.
