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Six Cambodian opposition party members charged with insurrection
ABC Radio Australia - July 16, 2014
"The court also decided to place them in pre-trial detention. This is a setback for democracy in Cambodia," said Am Sam Ath of the Cambodian League for the Promotion and Defense of Human Rights.
Tuesday's rally was part of a series of demonstrations led by the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), calling for the capital's Freedom Park to be reopened.
CNRP party leader Mu Sochua and fellow MPs Keo Pearum, Men Sothavrin and Ho Vann were arrested after clashes broke out between protesters and police. A fifth MP Real Camerin and an official working for Ms Sochua, Oeur Narith, were later also arrested. They were taken to the Phnom Penh municipal court on Wednesday for questioning over their roles in the protest.
A reporter said more than 100 opposition supporters were gathered outside the court house, the Phnom Penh Post's editor Chad Williams told the ABC. CNRP's acting president Kem Kokha hsa held a press conference calling for the MPs to be released, Mr Williams said.
Xinhua new agency said Keo Remy, Secretary of State of the Council of Ministers, has accused the MPs of leading their supporters to "brutally attack security personnel".
Kem Kokha has denied that his party's senior officials incited protesters to commit violence, Xinhua reported. "Usually, we hold nonviolent protests," he said. "Tuesday's violence was caused by the authorities."
Phnom Penh's Freedom Park has been barricaded since a deadly crackdown on protests in January. CNRP has boycotted parliament since elections last July, alleging that Hun Sen was returned to power because of widespread vote-rigging. (ABC with wires)
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