Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha arrives at court for treason trial

Cambodian opposition party leader Kem Sokha arrived at a local court in Phnom Penh on Wednesday to go on trial on treason charges. It could take up to three months to deliver a verdict, defense lawyers said on Tuesday, meaning the case could still be ongoing by the time the European Union makes a final decision on its trade policy next month.

Kem Sokha was arrested in 2017 and his opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party was banned ahead of a 2018 election in which the party of longtime leader Hun Sen won all the parliamentary seats. He was freed from house arrest in November but a ban on his engaging in political activity was kept in place. The treason charges stem from accusations that Kem Sokha was conspiring with the United States to cause the downfall of Hun Sen. He denies the charges, saying they are politically motivated.