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Jun 19, 2026 Major2
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Cambodia's Supreme Court Upholds Suspended Sentence for Opposition Politician Rong Chhun
Cambodia's Supreme Court upheld the incitement conviction of opposition politician Rong Chhun, imposing a three-year suspended prison sentence while banning him from politics for five years and restricting travel abroad. The ruling, which follows earlier convictions by lower courts, was met with anger from supporters and is seen as part of government efforts to stifle dissent.

Quick Facts
Who
Rong Chhun
What
upheld incitement conviction
When
Friday
Where
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
- upheld incitement conviction
- imposed three-year suspended prison sentence
- stripped political rights for five years
- banned travel abroad for three years
- met with angry supporters outside court
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's Supreme Court on Friday upheld the incitement conviction of prominent opposition politician Rong Chhun, sentencing him to a three-year suspended prison term while barring him from politics for five years and restricting his travel abroad. The decision, which drew anger from supporters gathered outside the court, keeps Rong Chhun out of prison but effectively sidelines him from political activity for years.
The 56-year-old senior adviser to the Nation Power Party was found guilty of inciting social unrest after meeting with villagers displaced by government construction projects, a case widely viewed as part of ongoing efforts by Prime Minister Hun Manet's administration to suppress dissent. The Supreme Court's ruling followed his appeal against a May 2025 conviction by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, which had sentenced him to four years in prison and permanently stripped his political rights. The Phnom Penh Appeal Court upheld that conviction in March 2026.
According to his attorney Em Chantha, the verdict prohibits Rong Chhun from any political involvement, including voting or standing as a candidate, and bans him from leaving the country for three years. The suspended sentence means he will not serve prison time. Supreme Court decisions are final, but Rong Chhun said he and his legal team would study the verdict to determine whether a pardon could be sought from Cambodia's King Norodom Sihamoni.
Why This Matters
This ruling signals a continued clampdown on political opposition in Cambodia, with the government using legal mechanisms to sideline influential critics. For international observers and investors, it underscores the deteriorating space for civil society and political dissent, potentially impacting foreign relations and regional stability assessments.
Timeline & Sources
Jun 19, 2026
WireSupreme Court upholds incitement conviction, imposes three-year suspended sentence, bans politics for five years and travel for three years.
Jun 19, 2026
WireCambodia Supreme Court upholds Rong Chhun's incitement conviction and suspends his sentence.