Strike two

The trial of 11 Cambodia National Rescue Party officials and activists charged with insurrection was sidetracked for a second time in two weeks yesterday after two opposition lawmakers were banned from the public gallery, prompting defence lawyers to boycott the hearing. Before any of the accused was given the chance to deny their involvement in violence in Freedom Park on July 15, the three presiding judges asked two CNRP lawmakers to leave Phnom Penh Municipal Court. The order came after lawyers for the plaintiffs argued that lawmakers who had previously been charged themselves over the same violent demonstration should not be allowed to observe. “These seven names are not allowed to listen,” Judge Taing Sun Lay said after convening with his colleagues for about 20 minutes. Of the seven CNRP lawmakers arrested over the July 15 violence and later released when a political deal was struck on July 22, only Mu Sochua and Long Ry were in court yesterday. The two lawmakers stayed put as the 11 defendants’ lawyers contested the decision. “As long as the court chases out these [lawmakers], I cannot join this hearing,” defence lawyer Choung Choungy told the judges. “Please do not extend this case to include [the lawmakers]. There are only 11 accused.” Choungy was soon backed by 10 other lawyers in a boycott they threatened to continue if the lawmakers are not allowed to observe future hearings. But Cheng Peng Hab, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said it is not appropriate for Sochua and Ry to hear testimony because they are still under the “control” of the court. “If they are sitting listening, they can find a way to defend themselves,” Peng Hab said. Many, however, consider the cases against the lawmakers over after the political deal. The prosecutor, Ke Socheat, did not object to the lawmakers being in court and urged the trial to continue – boycott or not.