Mam Sonando’s lawyer Sok Sam Oeun Ignorant of Truth

Dissident Cambodian radio station chief Mam Sonando was sentenced to
20 years in prison.

Mam Sonando's lawyer is a rights advocate named Sok Sam Oeun.

He is the executive director of the Cambodian Defenders Project.

As his lawyer, he said it was not his place to comment whether or not
the court's ruling was just.

"Fair or unfair, I will not say. [That is a question for] the suspects
themselves because they know the truth, which I don't".

Mam Sonando, 71 operates the 105 FM Beehive radio station.

He was found guilty of insurrection and inciting villagers to take up
arms against the state.

Cambodian and international rights groups have called the accusations
against Mam Sonando baseless.

They say the government was seeking to justify its harsh crackdown on
the alleged Kratie rebellion.

During the rebllion, a 15 year old girl was killed by a stray bullet
fired by authorities as a warning shot.

In condemning the court decision, Human Rights Watch said this is

"the worst miscarriage of justice we have seen" since U.N. forces
withdrew about 20 years ago after helping to rebuild war-shattered
Cambodia."

There was no evidence Mam Sonando had been involved in the Kratie dispute.

The idea villagers were attempting to secede from the country is ridiculous.

Twenty years in prison is a "death sentence" for Mam Sonando, who has
been in poor health since his arrest.

International rights groups say this case raises concerns about the
impartiality of Cambodia's justice system.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton expressed "serious concern"
over the conviction.

She said "raises severe doubts about the impartiality and independence
of the court."

International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) said this case shows
how the Cambodian government uses the courts as a "tool for
repression."

http://www.rfa.org/english/news/cambodia/mam-sonando-10012012135649.html