Cambodian court bans deputy opposition leader from leaving country

A Cambodian court has banned deputy opposition leader and lawmaker Kem Sokha from leaving the country after he has been charged with "refusal to appear" in a prostitution case involving his alleged mistress.

According to an order signed by Phnom Penh Municipal Court's Investigating Judge Thann Leng on July 8 and released to the media on Thursday, Kem Sokha "must not leave the territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia."

The order instructed the competent authorities to keep an eye on Kem Sokha and must report to the court in case he violated the order.

It said that Kem Sokha could be temporarily detained if he intentionally disrespected the order.

Kem Sokha, deputy leader of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was charged by a court prosecutor on May 26 with "refusal to appear" over a prostitution case involving his alleged mistress. Under the charge, he could face a prison term of between one and six months.

He has been holed up inside his party's headquarters in Phnom Penh since then in fear of the arrest.

The accusation against Kem Sokha stems from leaked audio clips of telephone conversation between him and his alleged mistress in February. In the clips, they discussed sex, pregnancy and paying for an apartment.

（APD）