A former local official with Cambodia’s banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has fled his home in Tboung Khmum province following the arrest of a fellow official who had posted comments critical of the government on social media.
Ouk Phon, a former CNRP deputy director in Tboung Khmum’s Memot district, told RFA’s Khmer Service that he went into hiding on Monday after multiple police officers had “spied” on him at his home, and he feared for his safety.
Ouk Phon said he had not been involved in any political activities since Cambodia’s Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP in November 2017, paving the way for Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) to steamroll a general election in July last year widely seen as unfree and unfair.
“I’ve done nothing—why did they spy on us,” he asked, adding that he had only met with local residents to celebrate the April 14-16 Khmer New Year.
“We only wished each other and enjoyed our feast together,” he said.