AFP, Phnom Penh

Cambodia’s top court yesterday suspended a prison sentence handed to opposition politician Rong Chhun but upheld a ban on him running for office, his lawyer said.

The outspoken Nation Power Party adviser was sentenced to four years in jail last year for incitement to cause social unrest -- a charge Cambodian authorities frequently use against activists.

He was also banned from voting, running for office and holding office for five years.

Rong Chhun lodged an appeal on Monday and the Supreme Court suspended his jail sentence for three years yesterday but upheld the ban on voting, as well as holding and running for office, his lawyer Em Chantha told reporters.

The case was brought against Rong Chhun in 2024.