Cambodian Opposition Leader Charged with Treason, Accused of US Collusion

Cambodian opposition leader, Kem Sokha, has been charged with treason and could face up to 30 years in jail.

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Sokha is been accused of colluding with the United States to conspire against the Cambodian government. He was arrest on Sunday in government actions seen as clamping down on critics and the press.

A video surfaced reportedly showing the opposition leader telling supporters that he received U.S. support and advice for political strategy.

A court statement accused him of being involved in "a secret plan" and "activities of conspiracy" with foreigners "which causes chaos and affects the kingdom of Cambodia," reported The Phnom Penh Post.

Sokha's lawyer, Pheng Heng, dismissed the charge, saying it was not a crime. He told Reuters that: "His (Sokha) words are educational in a workshop... What he talked about was elections in a multi-party democratic way."

UN human rights high commissioner, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, expressed concern about Kem Sokha's detainment stating it was "all the more worrying" given certain recently undertaken government measures.

Cambodian authorities recently launched tax and regulatory probes against rights groups and media companies, including U.S. government-funded Radio Free Asia and Voice of America.

Also, last month, a foreign non-profit group which investigated election irregularities was ordered to leave and independent newspaper The Cambodian Daily was forced to shut its doors.

The accusations come ahead of a general election due next year. Kem Sokha's Cambodia National Rescue Party is seen as a contender to the ruling party led by Hun Sen, who has been in power for over 30 years.

The Cambodian government denies the cases are political.