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Sam Rainsy's Planned Return to Cambodia Sparks Fears of Political Violence

Hul Reaksmey

   PHNOM PENH - Political tensions are simmering in Cambodia. While most
   people are going about their everyday lives, there is an undercurrent
   of apprehension. Saturday is the day longtime opposition leader Sam
   Rainsy pegged as the date he planned to return to Cambodia, potentially
   ending nearly four years of exile.

   Sitting recently in the shade of his Indian-made tuktuk, Sam Nimol was
   worried that things were about to get worse. The 31-year-old resident
   of Phnom Penh's Tuol Kork district expectedtwo scenarios:Either Sam
   Rainsy would comepeacefully or there wouldbe a negotiated resolution.

   Butif the outspoken politician is arrested, Sam Nimol worried, a
   confrontational situation could get violent, directly affecting
   people's livelihoods.

   "For this issue, if he comes peacefully, meaning nobody makes arrest of
   him, the solutions could be found step by step," Sam Nimol said.

   "But if violence is used, meaning he is arrested, there will be no
   solutions, and it will make .... [it]difficult to earn money," he said.

   In exile since 2015

   Sam Rainsy has been in exile since 2015, when an arrest warrant was
   issued for him. Since then, Cambodian courts have found him guilty on
   multiple charges, which he says are trumped up.

   In August, he announced his planned return to Cambodia on Independence
   Day, Nov. 9, to be accompanied by Cambodia National Rescue Party
   colleagues.

   Since the announcement, there has been a significant escalation in
   political intimidation and arrests. Reports suggest more than 140
   Cambodians have been convinced by authorities to admit they were
   involved in a plot to overthrow the government, and more than 40 have
   been charged for the same alleged crime.

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