Cambodian Opposition Chief Sam Rainsy Gets Royal Pardon

Sam Rainsy (R) addresses a roundtable in Washington, May 8, 2013.

Cambodia's exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy has received a royal pardon and can return to the country to campaign but not contest in the July 28 general elections, the government announced Friday.

It said that based on Prime Minister Hun Sen's advice, King Sihamoni has granted a pardon annulling Sam Rainsy's previous convictions for which he was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Sam Rainsy, who lives in France, had been convicted for charges that were widely seen as politically motivated, including publishing a false map of the border with Vietnam.

Although he is free to return to his country after four years in exile, Sam Rainsy will not be allowed to contest in the elections, which Hun Sen's party is widely expected to win.

The National Election Commission, the body that conducts the country's elections, said registration of candidates for the polls have long been closed and that Sam Rainsy's name has been removed from the electoral register.

The pardon came five days after Sam Rainsy declared that he would return before the election in an indication that a compromise may have been forged.

No 'deal'

Speaking from France, Sam Rainsy told RFA's Khmer Service that the royal pardon, for which he had requested to King Sihamoni last month, has nothing to do with Hun Sen and rejected any suggestions that a "deal" had been worked out with the Prime Minister for his return home.

He said he would push to get his name back in the electoral rolls on his return to contest on behalf of his Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) against  Hun Sen's ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP).

Sam Rainsy, 64, said he doesn’t have any travel schedule for his return yet.

“I am preparing myself [for returning home] and the documents. I am waiting for my new passport. When I get my passport I will return. It won’t be long. It will be soon.”

Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan said that Hun Sen wanted to allow Sam Rainsy to return "to provide peace to Cambodia."

“Sam Rainsy has requested a royal pardon and the King granted him amnesty,” he said. “Sam Rainsy also has raised the fact about Samdech's [Hun Sen's] move for national reconciliation and to strengthen Cambodia's internal situation,” he said.

Negotiations

Sam Rainsy had said earlier this week that he would welcome any negotiations with Hun Sen’s government but that he was bent on returning home even if he had to risk being arrested and thrown in jail.  

“I hope that there will be a negotiation … to resolve the issue among Khmers,” he said on Tuesday.

The royal decree pardoning Sam Rainsy said it was based on Hun Sen's request and the Prime Minister "must implement" the order effective Friday. 

Sam Rainsy's supporters flocked to the streets of the capital Phnom Penh in jubilation.

The CPP has won the last two polls by a landslide despite allegations of fraud and election irregularities.

In May, Hun Sen said he would try to stay in power for another decade, until he is 74. He had previously vowed to hold office until he reached 90.