On December 21, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court held a hearing on charges of incitement to cause social chaos that have been levelled at self-exiled Sam Rainsy and two of his alleged accomplices.

The court will announce a verdict on December 30.

Municipal court spokesman Kuch Kimlong confirmed to The Post that the court heard testimony in a case against Rainsy, the former president of the Supreme Court-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Rainsy’s alleged accomplices facing the same charges are Monk But Buntenh and Tum Bunthorn.

The Presiding Judge in the case is Ros Piseth and the prosecutor is Seng Heang.

If found guilty, the three face a prison sentence of between six months and two years and a fine of between one million riel and four million riel ($250 and $1,000).

Kimlong did not offer further details about the trial, but a court official who asked not to be named said the case was related to sensational claims Rainsy had made about the death of former National Police chief Hok Lundy.

Rainsy also stands accused of inciting people to refuse to pay the interest on their bank loans.

In June, the Criminal Court in Paris, France, charged Rainsy with public defamation following a complaint by Dy Vichea, the son of the late police chief.

Rainsy remains in self-exile and is unlikely to return to face punishment should he be convicted on these latest charges.

His lawyer Sam Sokong could not be reached for comment on December 21.