Cambodian opposition chief arrives home after 4 years in exile

19 July 2013
Xinhuanet News
Cambodia National Rescue Party / CNRP / destruction of public property / disinformation / election campaign / Elections / Government / Hun Sen / King Norodom Sihamoni / national elections / NEC / parliamentary candidacy / Phnom Penh / Phnom Penh International Airport / Prime Minister Hun Sen / royal pardon / Sam Rainsy / Tep Nytha / voter registration

Cambodia's charismatic opposition leader Sam Rainsy arrived in his home country on Friday morning after spending nearly four years abroad in self-imposed exile to avoid an 11-year prison sentence on charges of disinformation and destruction of public property. ... Hun Sen said his request to the king was based on the spirits of national unification and reconciliation, and to enable the fifth National Assembly elections on July 28 to be held in accordance with democratic, multi-party principles whereby all relevant parties can participate. Tep Nytha, secretary general of the National Election Committee (NEC), said that Sam Rainsy was ineligible to vote or run as a parliamentary candidate for the upcoming polls because the NEC deleted his name from the voter registry since November on the grounds that he was a convicted criminal at that time. ...

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/world/2013-07/19/c_132555198.htm