Cambodian opposition leader charged with treason

Cambodia's main opposition leader has been charged with treason and could face up to 30 years in jail, as part of a crackdown on dissent by the government ahead of next year's general election.

Kem Sokha was arrested on Sunday for allegedly plotting with the US to undermine the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The case centres on a 2013 video in which Sokha told supporters of his Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) that he has had American support and advice for his political strategy to win power. Lawyers for the opposition claim this does not contravene Cambodian law.

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Issuing the charges, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court said that "the act of secret collusion with foreigners is an act of treason".

Sokha's arrest is part of what Reuters calls an "escalating crackdown on critics" by the government. Pro-government website Fresh News said there could be further arrests of officials from the opposition party in the case.

The news agency says the arrest of Kem Sokha and growing pressure on independent media and rights groups "have drawn condemnation from the US and other Western countries, which have raised doubts over whether a general election next year can be fair".

However, while next year's election could represent the greatest challenge to Hun Sen during more than three decades in power, the Prime Minister and his ruling Cambodian People's Party still enjoy the strong support of China, which has made him one of its closest regional allies and provided billions of pounds in infrastructure loans.