A&nbsp;Cambodian court sentenced 20 former&nbsp;politicians&nbsp;and activists to up to 10 years in prison on Thursday for&nbsp;sedition, a lawyer and a human rights group said, part of a broad crackdown on the&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;that has drawn international condemnation.

Sam Rainsy, the self-exiled founder of the disbanded&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;Cambodia&nbsp;National Rescue Party (CNRP), has already been convicted of multiple offences and was among those found guilty on Thursday over remarks the authorities says were tantamount to plotting to overthrow the government.

More&nbsp;than 100&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;members or supporters have been charged with treason and incitement in the past few years in&nbsp;Cambodia, where Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled for 37 years, has been accused of trying crush all challenges to his party's political monopoly.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/in-myanmar-cambodian-pm-met-with-a-red-carpet-welcome-and-chants-of-we-dont-need-you-442896">In Myanmar, Cambodian PM met with a red-carpet welcome and chants of 'We don't need you'</a>

Former CNRP leader Kem Sokha is among dozens of people on trial for treason, many of whom are living in exile.

The government has denied targeting the&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;and says the trials are not politically motivated.

Rainsy, Hun Sen's biggest rival, who fled to France for fear of persecution in 2015, said the justice system was corrupt.

"The will for democratic change which the&nbsp;Cambodian people have demonstrated on every available occasion is impossible to extinguish. Opposing dictatorship is a duty, not a crime," he said in an email, when asked about his conviction.

Seven senior CNRP members were tried in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in prison while 13 of its supporters, who were in custody, were each ordered to serve three years and eight months in prison, defence lawyer Sam Sokong said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-continues-construction-at-ream-naval-base-in-cambodia-430298">China continues construction at Ream Naval base in Cambodia</a>

He said the case was politically motivated and all his clients were guilty of was voicing their support for Rainsy to return.

"What (our clients) said was just a right to express opinions as guaranteed by the constitution," he said.

Plang Sophal, the court's deputy prosecutor, said he was unaware of the case and declined to comment.

New York-based Human Rights Watch called for international condemnation of the convictions, which it said amounted to a "witch hunt that discredits both the&nbsp;Cambodian government and the country's courts".

Watch |&nbsp;China is funding construction work at Cambodia's Ream Naval base

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-is-funding-construction-work-at-cambodias-ream-naval-base-446811/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A Cambodian court sentenced 20 former politicians and activists to up to 10 years in prison on Thursday for sedition, a lawyer and a human rights group said, part of a broad crackdown on the opposition that has drawn international condemnation.

A Cambodian court sentenced 20 former politicians and activists to up to 10 years in prison on Thursday for sedition, a lawyer and a human rights group said, part of a broad crackdown on the opposition that has drawn international condemnation. Sam Rainsy, the self-exiled founder of the disbanded opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), has already been convicted of multiple offences and was among those found guilty on Thursday over remarks the authorities says were tantamount to plotting to overthrow the government. More than 100 opposition members or supporters have been charged with treason and incitement in the past few years in Cambodia, where Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has ruled for 37 years, has been accused of trying crush all challenges to his party's political monopoly. Also read | In Myanmar, Cambodian PM met with a red-carpet welcome and chants of 'We don't need you' Former CNRP leader Kem Sokha is among dozens of people on trial for treason, many of whom are living in exile. The government has denied targeting the opposition and says the trials are not politically motivated. Rainsy, Hun Sen's biggest rival, who fled to France for fear of persecution in 2015, said the justice system was corrupt. "The will for democratic change which the Cambodian people have demonstrated on every available occasion is impossible to extinguish. Opposing dictatorship is a duty, not a crime," he said in an email, when asked about his conviction. Seven senior CNRP members were tried in absentia and sentenced to 10 years in prison while 13 of its supporters, who were in custody, were each ordered to serve three years and eight months in prison, defence lawyer Sam Sokong said. Also read | China continues construction at Ream Naval base in Cambodia He said the case was politically motivated and all his clients were guilty of was voicing their support for Rainsy to return. "What (our clients) said was just a right to express opinions as guaranteed by the constitution," he said. Plang Sophal, the court's deputy prosecutor, said he was unaware of the case and declined to comment. New York-based Human Rights Watch called for international condemnation of the convictions, which it said amounted to a "witch hunt that discredits both the Cambodian government and the country's courts". Watch | China is funding construction work at Cambodia's Ream Naval base

Cambodia jails more opposition politicians for sedition

politicians-and-activists

Politicians And Activists, News on Politicians And Activists, stories on Politicians And Activists, articles on Politicians And Activists, Politicians And Activists stories at Wion, Politicians And Activists news, Politicians And Activists latest news

politicians and-activists

Cambodia jails more opposition politicians for sedition