Scores of riot police were deployed outside the Phnom Penh court as the hearing began, though there were no signs of protest (AFP Photo/Tang Chhing Sothy)
Bangkok (People’s Daily) - Cambodia's Supreme Court on Thursday dissolved the country's main opposition party, Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), and barred 118 of its politicians from office for five years, local media reported.
The Phnom Penh Post said the “historic” ruling followed treason charges filed by the Interior Ministry. According to the latest amendment to the election law, the CNRP will lose all political seats, including 489 commune chiefs and 55 representatives to the National Assembly.
Police have been deployed to prevent possible protests around the Supreme Court.
“We don’t want the public to disturb court procedures,” and we are taking action against any gatherings outside the court, National Police spokesman General Khieu Sopheak told Khmer Times.
The sixth National Assembly elections in Cambodia will be held on July 29, 2018.