Theary Seng, whose real name is, was recently sentenced to six years in prison for trying to bring a historical opponent back to Cambodia.
Two critical comments against the Cambodian Prime Minister, the former Khmer Rouge, Hun Sen, earned him to find himself behind bars. Lady Liberté, the famous human rights lawyer, was sentenced in June to six years in prison with dozens of opponents, a few weeks before the legislative elections. The UN says it was punished by the autocratic Cambodian leader who secures a landslide victory on July 23
A controversial trial
The one nicknamed Lady Liberty is called Theary Seng, a 51-year-old lawyer, American-Cambodian. Accused of treason, this courageous activist dared to attack Hun Sen, Prime Minister in power for 38 years, who without qualms threw her in prison after a controversial trial. The courts are under the influence of the Prime Minister who rules the country with an iron fist.
Theary Seng was sentenced to six years in prison with 60 other members of the party of Sam Rainsy, a historical Cambodian opponent who lives in exile in France. She was convicted for trying to bring him back to Cambodia. Which she denied. Lady Liberty, fled her country when she was a child, her parents were killed by the Khmer Rouge, she grew up in the United States. She returned to live in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, ten years ago to found two NGOs on human rights and civic engagement. His case is being examined by a United Nations working group, which calls for his release.
Opposition stifled
The opposition is muzzled, almost decapitated on the eve of the legislative elections scheduled for July 23. On this date, Cambodia must renew its 125 deputies, Hun Sen is sure to be re-elected.
The other opposition figure Kem Sohka, 69, is under house arrest for 27 years. He no longer has the right to vote and to aspire to political office. The United States denounced a political conspiracy. Hun Sen, the oldest leader in Asia, an ally of China, has the free way. He stifled the opposition, and last February banned the Voice of Democracy news site, the country’s main independent media. A screed of lead has fallen on Cambodia.