Hun Sen asks king to pardon Rainsy

Published: 12 Jul 2013 at 15.19Online news: (Bangkok Post) PHNOM PENH - Cambodia's prime minister applied Friday for a pardon for his top political rival, a move that would allow the self-exiled opposition leader to return home and campaign for the coming general election. Cabinet spokesman Phay Siphan said Prime Minister Hun Sen sent a letter Friday to King Norodom Sihamoni applying for a pardon for Sam Rainsy. The pro-government DAP news agency reported that the king has signed the request, though neither Phay Siphan nor Information Minister Khieu Khanharith could confirm that. Royal approval is a formality. The request came after the United States and others had said the exclusion of Sam Rainsy from the July 28 elections called into question the polls' legitimacy. Hun Sen is expected to extend his 28-year rule. It was not immediately clear if Sam Rainsy will be able to run in the polls. Sam Rainsy, head of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, has lived abroad since 2009 to avoid serving 11 years in prison on charges widely seen as politically motivated. Phay Siphan said the pardon had nothing to do with the election or international pressure. "The prime minister did it for the sake of the country and in the spirit of national reconciliation," he said. "Sam Rainsy is free now; he can come back to Cambodia. We welcome him back."