Cambodia: Defamation Trial of Former Candlelight Party Leader Postponed Due to Defendant's Medical Treatment Abroad

Phnom Penh Court of Appeal announced on August 3, 2026, the postponement of the appeal hearing for Mr. Tav Vannul, former President of the Candlelight Party, in a defamation case. The postponement is due to the defendant having traveled abroad for treatment of a serious illness. Presiding Judge Im Vanna stated during the hearing that the Court of Appeal decided to postpone the hearing on the appeal of the accused, Tav Vannul, because the accused had submitted a request for postponement as he needed to travel abroad for medical treatment. Judge Im Vanna added that the judicial council will schedule a new hearing date in the near future. Following the statement by the presiding judge, the legal team defending the Royal Government, observers from non-governmental organizations, representatives of friendly foreign embassies, and numerous journalists who traveled from afar to attend Mr. Tav Vannul's hearing expressed disappointment and returned to their respective workplaces. On July 6, 2026, Mr. Chea Met, Deputy Prosecutor of the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal, issued a summons for Mr. Tav Vannul, President of the Candlelight Party, to appear for the appeal hearing on August 3, 2026, at 2:00 PM. This hearing was to be led by the 11th Judicial Council, with Mr. Im Vanna as presiding judge, and Mr. Hung Bunthon and Mr. Yun Sovann as judicial council judges. It should be noted that in this case, the accused, Mr. Tav Vannul, male, 72 years old, an American citizen of Cambodian origin, was convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 25, 2026. He was fined 10 million riels (approximately $2,500 USD) to be deposited into the national treasury and ordered to pay an additional 6 billion riels (approximately $1.5 million USD) to the legal team defending the Royal Government of Cambodia, representing the civil plaintiff for damages to the reputation and honor of the national leadership and the Royal Government of Cambodia. The court also issued an order to freeze his three real estate properties (house and land), with an estimated value of $1.5 million USD. The accused, Mr. Tav Vannul, was charged with public defamation, committed around February 2026, under Article 305 of the Penal Code. However, the accused Mr. Tav Vannul appealed the entirety of the decision (judgment) of the municipal court to the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal. All rights reserved by CEN