Human Rights Watch: Charges against Cambodian leader Sokha 'bogus'

A Human Rights Watch official on Wednesday said the trial of a top Cambodian opposition leader on treason charges is "completely bogus".

Speaking in Bangkok, Deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Asia division Phil Robertson called on the Cambodian government to "end this charade right now".

Opposition leader Kem Sokha was charged with treason on Wednesday, more than two years after he was arrested in what is widely seen as a politically motivated prosecution.

Sokha was head of the Cambodia National Rescue Party when he was arrested in September 2017 on the basis of an old video showing him at a seminar where he spoke about receiving advice from US pro-democracy groups.

His party was then dissolved by Cambodia's Supreme Court in November 2017.

He could be imprisoned for up to 30 years if found guilty.