Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni has pardoned former opposition leader Kem Sokha, ending the 27-year treason sentence imposed on him in 2023, according to a royal decree released on Monday. Reuters reported that the pardon came weeks after Cambodia’s Appeal Court upheld Sokha’s conviction and maintained restrictions tied to the case.
Kem Sokha, 72, co-founder of the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), had been under house arrest since March 2023 after being convicted of conspiring with a foreign power to overthrow former Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government. Cambodian authorities have repeatedly denied accusations that the prosecution was politically motivated.
The royal decree was signed by Hun Sen, who currently serves as president of the Senate and was acting on behalf of King Norodom Sihamoni while the monarch undergoes medical treatment in China for prostate cancer, according to Reuters.
Prime Minister Hun Manet described the pardon as a move toward national reconciliation. According to the Associated Press, Hun Manet said in a statement posted on Telegram that the decision was “a step in strengthening national unity.”
Hun Sen also confirmed the pardon publicly. AFP reported that he posted on social media that Kem Sokha “is pardoned” alongside a copy of the royal decree.
The decree removes the prison sentence but does not erase all legal restrictions imposed by Cambodian courts. Reuters reported that Sokha still faces a ban on leaving Cambodia for five years after the conclusion of the sentence period. Cambodian state-backed reports also said the pardon does not automatically restore his political rights.
A lawyer representing Sokha did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment following the announcement.
The United States and several Western governments have previously criticized the case against Sokha. Reuters reported earlier this month that the U.S. State Department described the Appeal Court’s decision to uphold the conviction as “troubling” and linked it to broader concerns over political freedoms in Cambodia.
Human Rights Watch welcomed the pardon but said restrictions on opposition activity in Cambodia remain in place. According to the Associated Press, the organization said the release represented only “partial justice” because wider political repression continued.
Kem Sokha’s conviction became one of the most closely watched political cases in Southeast Asia after his arrest in 2017. Reuters reported that prosecutors accused him of working with foreign powers, including the United States, to destabilize the Cambodian government. Sokha denied the accusations throughout the trial.
The case unfolded during a wider crackdown on Cambodia’s opposition movement. In 2017, Cambodia’s Supreme Court dissolved the CNRP, clearing the way for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party to dominate subsequent elections. Reuters said many opposition figures fled the country while others faced criminal charges or imprisonment.
Cambodia’s government has consistently rejected allegations of political persecution. Reuters reported that officials under Prime Minister Hun Manet maintain that individuals prosecuted in opposition-related cases violated Cambodian law and were treated according to judicial procedures.
The pardon may ease some international pressure on Phnom Penh at a time when Cambodia is seeking stronger diplomatic and economic ties with regional and Western partners. Analysts and rights groups have said the treatment of opposition figures has affected Cambodia’s relations with the United States and European governments over the past decade.
Cambodia remains politically dominated by the Cambodian People’s Party, which has ruled the country for more than 40 years. Hun Sen transferred the premiership to his son, Hun Manet, in 2023 but continues to hold significant political influence as Senate president.
Background:
Kem Sokha co-founded the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which emerged as Cambodia’s main opposition movement before its dissolution in 2017. He was arrested that year and accused of conspiring with foreign powers to overthrow the government. In March 2023, a Phnom Penh court sentenced him to 27 years in prison for treason and ordered him to serve the term under house arrest. In April 2026, Cambodia’s Appeal Court upheld the conviction and maintained travel restrictions. Western governments and human rights organizations repeatedly criticized the case, calling it politically motivated.
What Happens Next:
Kem Sokha is expected to regain his freedom from house arrest immediately following the pardon, according to Cambodian media reports. However, restrictions tied to travel and political participation are expected to remain unless separate legal measures are taken. Cambodian authorities have not announced any broader political reforms or additional pardons for opposition figures. International rights organizations are likely to continue monitoring Cambodia’s treatment of political opponents ahead of future elections.
