Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has initiated legal action against opposition leader Kem Sokha, accusing him of defamation over a Facebook post. The post, which criticized the Prime Minister’s handling of national affairs, has sparked controversy and ignited a political dispute between Cambodia’s ruling party and the opposition.

Hun Sen’s lawsuit, filed in Cambodian courts, alleges that the opposition leader made baseless claims intended to damage the government’s reputation. The Prime Minister’s legal team emphasized that the accusations, made in a widely shared social media post, constituted an attack on his leadership and were part of a broader effort to destabilize the political landscape.

Kem Sokha, leader of the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), has responded by stating that his post was merely an expression of political opinion, aimed at holding the government accountable. Sokha’s supporters argue that the lawsuit is an attempt to stifle dissent and limit freedom of speech in the country.

The lawsuit comes amid growing tensions in Cambodia’s political arena, where the ruling party has long been accused of using the courts to target opposition leaders and critics. Hun Sen’s government has been increasingly scrutinized for its handling of the opposition and free speech issues, drawing criticism from international human rights organizations.

As the legal battle unfolds, it highlights the broader challenges facing Cambodia’s political opposition, which has struggled to gain momentum in a political landscape dominated by the ruling party. The case will likely further polarize political discourse in Cambodia and raise concerns about the future of democratic practices in the country