Cambodian Opposition Leader Rong Chhun Seeks Supreme Court Relief In Incitement Case

A prominent Cambodian opposition figure, Rong Chhun, appeared before the Cambodia Supreme Court on Monday to seek reversal of his incitement conviction , in a case widely seen as part of broader political tensions in the country.

Rong Chhun, a senior adviser to the Nation Power Party, was convicted in 2025 of inciting social unrest after meeting villagers displaced by government development projects, including infrastructure construction near contested areas. He maintains that his actions were limited to social media posts and peaceful engagement with affected communities.

He was sentenced to four years in prison and stripped of his political rights , including voting and contesting elections. At the time of conviction, he was also barred from holding public office, a ruling that effectively removed him from active politics.

After the hearing in Phnom Penh, Rong Chhun emerged before a crowd of around 300 supporters chanting slogans demanding his release. Security forces had earlier set up barricades around the court complex, restricting access as supporters and human rights observers gathered outside.

Speaking to supporters, he called for national reconciliation and urged unity amid regional tensions with Thailand and domestic economic challenges. He said he hoped the court would allow him to return to political life and continue serving the public.

This is not his first conviction. In 2021, Rong Chhun was sentenced to two years on similar incitement charges related to comments on Cambodia’s border with Vietnam, though he was later released following an appeal process.

Observers note that incitement laws are frequently used against government critics in Cambodia, where political opposition parties have faced legal challenges, dissolution, or leadership restrictions over recent years. The political environment has remained tightly controlled under Prime Minister Hun Manet, following decades of leadership by his father Hun Sen.

The Supreme Court is scheduled to announce its verdict on June 19.