Cambodian govt moves to dissolve opposition party

Cambodia's government yesterday asked the country's top court to dissolve the main opposition party, which is hanging on by a thread after its leader was arrested on treason charges, sending scores of MPs into self-exile.

The Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) has been battered by a government crackdown that is clearing out rivals of strongman premier Hun Sen ahead of a 2018 election that could have tested his 32-year grip on power.

The government has used a mix of court cases, legal manoeuvres and threats to sideline the opposition's leadership and drive out more than half of its MPs in fear.

The exodus, prompted by the surprise arrest of the party's president Kem Sokha last month, has raised serious doubts about the party's ability to contest next year's election.

Its future was further imperiled yesterday when lawyers from the Ministry of Interior lodged a complaint urging the Supreme Court to disband the CNRP for allegedly violating a controversial political parties law.

"There is strong and sufficient evidence for the Supreme Court to dissolve the CNRP," Ky Tech, one of the lawyers, told reporters outside the court house.

"If we keep (CNRP), it will lead to the destruction of the nation, so we must prevent it," he added.

His team accused the CNRP of breaching legislation that prohibits parties from threatening national security, taking orders from a foreign entity or conspiring with individuals whose activities are "against the interest of Cambodia", among other offences.

When the law was passed earlier this year, rights groups warned it was a brazen attempt by Hun Sen to checkmate an opposition that had been making steady gains at the polls.

Analysts say there is little doubt the Supreme Court will take up the case in a justice system warped by Hun Sen's meddling.