Phnom Penh (VNA) - A Cambodian court has ordered the temporary seizure of the exiledex-opposition leader Sam Rainsy's property after he lost two defamation cases,according to a verdict released on February 26.
The verdict said thePhnom Penh Municipal Court decided to temporarily seize Sam Rainsy's propertyincluding a piece of land and a building after he was indicted for defaming PrimeMinister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and National Assembly President Heng Samrin.
The temporaryseizure of the property will be canceled only if Sam Rainsy deposits 4.25billion riel (1.06 million USD) with the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.
The seized buildingwas the headquarters of the now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National RescueParty (CNRP).
Sam Rainsy, 68, hasbeen living in self-exile in France since November 25, 2015 to avoid two-yearimprisonment for defaming Deputy Prime Minister Hor Namhong.
In the end of lastyear, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court accused Sam Rainsy of defaming PrimeMinister Hun Sen.
In early 2017, SamRainsy posted on Facebook a status slandering PM Hun Sen on giving 1 millionUSD to a political activist in order to divide the CNRP. The ex-oppositionparty leader was asked by the court to pay a compensation of 1 million USD toPM Hun Sen and a fine of 2,500 USD.
In February 11, 2017, SamRainsy stepped down from CNRP President position and left the party.-VNA