31 January 2006

Alert

Prime Minister breaks promise to drop defamation charge against Mom Sonando


Incident details

Mom Sonando, Rong Chhun, Kem Sokha, Pa Nguon Tieng

journalist(s)

legal action

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(RSF/IFEX) - Reporters Without Borders has voiced dismay at Prime Minister Hun Sen's announcement that defamation charges will not, after all, be dropped against radio journalist Mom Sonando, union leader Rong Chhun and human rights activists Kem Sokha and Pa Nguon Tieng.

Hun Sen said the court had ruled that it was "impossible" to withdraw the lawsuits as legal investigations were already under way. "Suspension is possible only if the case has not yet entered its investigation phase, so neither suspension nor withdrawal is possible," he said.

Last week, Hun Sen said he had finally decided to withdraw the lawsuits after receiving letters of apology. U.S. ambassador Joseph Mussomeli commented at the time: "We are very happy with what has happened. It is something the international community should applaud."



Source:

Reporters Without Borders
47, rue Vivienne
75002 Paris
France
rsf (@) rsf.org
Phone: +33 1 44 83 84 84
Fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51
 

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More on this case

CPJ calls on PM to drop all charges against radio journalist held in "atrocious" prison conditions 21 November 2005 Jailed journalist denied bail; court withdraws controversial order restricting journalists' access to court proceedings 4 November 2005 Civil society leaders push for release of jailed media members 27 October 2005 PM moves to crush dissent; activists flee in wake of arrests; new assault on freedom of speech 19 October 2005 PM files criminal defamation charges against radio station director 13 October 2005

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