Deputy opposition leader Kem Sokha yesterday ignored yet another summons from the Phnom Penh Municipal Court – this time to answer questions about alleged procurement of prostitution related to an ongoing sex scandal.
Court spokesman Ly Sophanna said the prosecutor in the case, Seang Sok, would examine “documents and legal procedures” before deciding on further action against Sokha.
Sophanna would not elaborate on what options were available to the court, while Sok could not be reached.
The case was initiated after recorded conversations were posted online allegedly between Sokha and a mistress, Khom Chandaraty. Two other CNRP lawmakers – Tok Vanchan and Pin Ratana – who were called in for questioning on Monday, also in relation to the prostitution allegations, did not appear for their summons.
The CNRP has maintained that its lawmakers are not obliged to obey summonses because they have constitutionally guaranteed immunity.
“We have already decided to not allow lawmakers to show up in court, so the court can do what they want to do if they think it is legal,” CNRP lawmaker Eng Chhay Eang said yesterday.
Sokha also ignored a summons last week in a $1 million defamation suit brought by social media celebrity Thy Sovantha, who accused him of slandering her in the recordings.
