Nation Power Party President Sun Chanthy raises his fist at a party event in Phnom Penh from April 2024. (Facebook)

The president of the Nation Power Party was arrested at the Phnom Penh International Airport this morning on an order to appear for questioning at the Internal Security department as he was returning from a trip meeting supporters in Japan.

Sun Chanthy was arrested by police this morning at 9 a.m., according to a police statement, which adds that Chanthy was being questioned on the charge of “incitement to disturb social security,” which falls under Article 495 of the Criminal Code.

A separate document from the Phnom Penh prosecutor’s office dated 7 May instructs police to arrest Chanthy and produce him at Phnom Penh police’s Internal Security department. The document was signed by prosecutor Chreung Kmao on the same day the Nation Power Party (NPP) posted a video on its Facebook page of Chanthy addressing party supporters in Japan.

The NPP was formed in October 2023 following the arbitrary exclusion of the opposition Candlelight Party from the July 2023 National Election. Many of the party’s senior leadership were previously with Candlelight, including labour rights activist and former Candlelight Vice President Rong Chhun, who is now an advisor to NPP. Three other NPP leaders are currently imprisoned.