PHNOM PENH, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian court on Friday convicted a minor opposition chief of inciting soldiers to disobey orders and sentenced him to five years in prison, according to a verdict.
Sourn Serey Ratha, 44, president of the Khmer Power Party, was arrested red-handed on Aug. 13, a day after he posted to his Facebook criticizing the Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen's decision to dispatch troops to confront with Lao troops in a disputed border area.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court said Ratha's comments had affected social security and security of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, and charged him with three counts: inciting military personnel to be disobedient, demoralization of military personnel, and provocation to commit crimes.
"The court decided to sentence Sourn Serey Ratha to five years in prison and to fine him 10 million riel (2,500 U.S. dollars)," said the verdict.
During a three-hour hearing on Thursday, Ratha defended his words, saying that he just expressed his view as a politician and had no intention to insult or incite the army.
The convict has one month to appeal against his guilty verdict.
Ratha returned to Cambodia from self-imposed exile in the United States after receiving a royal pardon in July 2015 for terrorism conviction.
