PHNOM PENH, Oct. 31 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected a request for the release on bail of opposition leader Kem Sokha, who was arrested earlier last month on the charges of "treason."
"The Supreme Court denies bail for Kem Sokha and decides to uphold the Appeal Court's decision to detain him," Supreme Court's judge Khim Pon read a verdict after a three-hour bail hearing.
Kem Sokha,, president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) who was kept at the Trapaing Thlong Prison in eastern Tboung Khmum province, did not appear at the court due to security concerns.
During the court proceedings, security had been tightened as several opposition lawmakers and dozens of their activists gathered outside the courthouse.
Kem Sokha, 64, was arrested on Sept. 3 for allegedly plotting the overthrow of the government with the U.S. support. He was accused of treason, the charge that could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted.
The government lodged a complaint to the Supreme Court on Oct. 6, requesting the CNRP dissolution after Kem Sokha was charged with treason.
The court will hear the CNRP dissolution case on Nov. 16.
The CNRP is the main rival to Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP), as the Southeast Asian country is gearing up for the national elections in July 2018.
