Cambodian opposition leader cancels return after arrest warrant

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy has cancelled his return to the country -- scheduled for late Monday -- after a court issued an arrest warrant against him over a defamation case.

"I am not arriving at Phnom Penh International Airport tonight at 22:20 as originally scheduled, but will be back in Cambodia in the next few days," Rainsy, president of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) posted on Facebook.

Rainsy, who is in South Korea to visit Cambodian labourers, has decided to call off his return to Cambodia after the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on November 13 issued an arrest warrant against him over a conviction for defamation in 2011.

He was charged with defamation after he alleged Foreign Minister Hor Namhong of serving for the former Democratic Kampuchea in a speech at the Choeung Ek Museum in Phnom Penh on April 17, 2008, according to the warrant signed by deputy Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutor Sy Vanny.

He was convicted in absentia , sentenced to two years in prison by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court in April 2011, and the conviction was upheld by the Appeal Court in 2013. Since then, he did not served his prison term yet, the warrant said.

On Sunday, Interior Minister Sar Kheng signed a decision to form a special committee to enforce the arrest warrant for Rainsy.

National Assembly President Heng Samrin announced earlier Monday in a statement that Rainsy has completely lost his "right, privilege and membership as a lawmaker" in the fifth mandate after the court issued an warrant arrest for him.

Rainsy, who also holds French citizenship, returned to Cambodia ahead of the July 2013 national election after receiving a royal pardon from King Norodom Sihamoni. He fled the country in 2009 to avoid an 11-year prison sentence over the charge of removing border poles and publishing a false map of the border with Vietnam. The pardon at that time was not included the defamation conviction.