Cambodia: Hun Sen Rival Is Pardoned
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/13/world/asia/cambodia-hun-sen-rival-is-pardoned.html Version 0 of 1. Prime Minister Hun Sen engineered a pardon for his most prominent rival on Friday, clearing the way for the self-exiled politician, Sam Rainsy, to return home and campaign in this month’s general election. The pardon came after the United States and other countries had said the exclusion of Mr. Sam Rainsy from the July 28 vote would call into question its legitimacy. His return is not likely to greatly affect the outcome, because Mr. Hun Sen is expected to win in a landslide and extend his 28-year rule. Mr. Sam Rainsy has lived abroad since 2009 to avoid an 11-year prison term on charges widely seen as politically motivated. King Norodom Sihamoni pardoned him Friday at Mr. Hun Sen’s request. In a statement, a spokesman for the State Department later praised the royal pardon. |