US envoy to Cambodia meets released opposition leader

The U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia says the release from house arrest of opposition co-leader Kem Sokha is a step forward and further moves toward full multiparty democracy will improve relations with the United States

The U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia has described the release from house arrest of opposition co-leader Kem Sokha as a step forward and says further moves toward full multiparty democracy will improve relations with the United States.

Ambassador Patrick Murphy spoke after a meeting Monday with the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party’s Kem Sokha, who was arrested in September 2017 on a charge of treason for meeting with an American democracy promotion organization. His arrest led to his party being disbanded.

He was freed Sunday by court order after more than two years in detention without trial. He remains charged with some restrictions on his movement.

The court granted him freedom a day after the party’s other leader, Sam Rainsy, couldn’t fulfill his vow to return from exile to Cambodia.