Imprisoned National Election Committee official Ny Chakrya yesterday faced questioning at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court over an alleged conspiracy to bribe Cambodia National Rescue Party acting leader Kem Sokha’s purported mistress to deny their relationship.

Court spokesman Ly Sophanna said Chakrya, a former senior official at rights group Adhoc, was grilled by investigating judge Theam Chanpiseth yesterday, but declined to reveal any details about the hearing.

“It is the right of the judge to interrogate the suspect,” Sophanna said.

Chakrya yesterday told Radio Free Asia that he refused to answer questions because his lawyer was absent.

His defence lawyer, Sam Sokong, could not be reached yesterday. The attorney has previously alleged the case against his client was based on illegal government phone taps.

The NEC deputy secretary-general was imprisoned together with four Adhoc staffers over the Sokha scandal.The charges have been widely criticised as a political move by the ruling Cambodian People’s Party against its critics.