A protest against her dismissal from the opposition party backfired on Lak Sopheap yesterday as counter-protesters demanded she settle outstanding “debts” and some of her own supporters admitted not knowing why they were protesting.
Sopheap was fired from her position as an assistant to Cambodia National Rescue Party deputy president Kem Sokha on Tuesday after alleging last week that Sokha had accused party leader Sam Rainsy of accepting $20 million to negotiate with Prime Minister Hun Sen during the political deadlock earlier this year.
After vowing on Wednesday to bring up to 300 people to the CNRP’s headquarters to protest against her dismissal, Sopheap was instead confronted by an angry mob. A violent clash came close to erupting as people confronted the fired assistant over money she allegedly owes them.
Among them, well-known CNRP-aligned pop singer Sophoan Lary was one who got up in Sopheap’s face.
“My older sister will arrive here soon,” he said. “[Sopheap] has borrowed $300 from her and now says she has no money to pay her back.”
Others in the crowd hurled allegations and insults at Sopheap. One irate owner of a nearby café accused her of failing to settle a bill.
“You owe me 1,000 riel [$0.25 cents] for a coffee,” the man shouted.
But Sopheap denied the accusations.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Protest
A protest against her dismissal from the opposition party backfired on Lak Sopheap yesterday as counter-protesters demanded she settle outstanding “debts” and some of her own supporters admitted not knowing why they were protesting.
Sopheap was fired from her position as an assistant to Cambodia National Rescue Party deputy president Kem Sokha on Tuesday after alleging last week that Sokha had accused party leader Sam Rainsy of accepting $20 million to negotiate with Prime Minister Hun Sen during the political deadlock earlier this year.
After vowing on Wednesday to bring up to 300 people to the CNRP’s headquarters to protest against her dismissal, Sopheap was instead confronted by an angry mob. A violent clash came close to erupting as people confronted the fired assistant over money she allegedly owes them.
Among them, well-known CNRP-aligned pop singer Sophoan Lary was one who got up in Sopheap’s face.
“My older sister will arrive here soon,” he said. “[Sopheap] has borrowed $300 from her and now says she has no money to pay her back.”
Others in the crowd hurled allegations and insults at Sopheap. One irate owner of a nearby café accused her of failing to settle a bill.
“You owe me 1,000 riel [$0.25 cents] for a coffee,” the man shouted.
But Sopheap denied the accusations.
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