By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
14 May 2009
An opposition lawmaker and her lawyer say they will continue a defamation suit against Prime Minister Hun Sen, following overtures by court officials to find a compromise without a hearing.
Mu Sochua, a National Assembly representative for the opposition Sam Rainsy Party, alleges that remarks made in a speech by Hun Sen last month, alluding her as a “strong-leg,” were sexually discriminating and disparaging.
Hun Sen has countersued both Mu Sochua and her lawyer, Kong Sam Onn. Mu Sochua said Thursday she would not drop her suit, despite calls from Phnom Penh Municipal Court to settle the matter.
“I would like to clearly stress that I do not need to negotiate, and I do not need to withdraw the complaint,” Mu Sochua told VOA Khmer Thursday. “I believe in my lawyer 100 percent, and he will not do wrong.”
“We have not withdrawn our complaint against Prime Minister Hun Sen, and we still continue to sue,” Kong Sam Onn said.
Hun Sen’s lawyer, Ky Tech, maintains that the premier’s “strong-leg” speech did not mention anyone by name.
Phnom Penh Municipal Court prosecutors have two months to decide on the complaints, and they have called both parties in for questioning.
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