Warrants were issued for Sam Rainsy, a founder of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which has been dissolved; two of the party’s vice presidents, Mu Sochua and Eng Chhai; and five other party members.
Mr. Hun Sen has also cracked down on the independent news media, most significantly by forcing the closure of The Cambodia Daily, whose formation in 1993 had been a signal of the country’s turn toward openness and democratic rule.
In September 2017, with elections approaching, more than 100 police officers were sent to arrest Kem Sokha, who founded the Cambodia National Rescue Party with Mr. Sam Rainsy five years earlier and was its president at the time of his detention.
Mr. Kem Sokha was accused of colluding with the United States to overthrow the government, and the party was dissolved two months later. More than 100 party members have been barred from politics, and, facing similar charges, many of them fled overseas.