Five former Khmer Rouge fighters told a Cambodian court Friday they were innocent of the 1996 kidnapping and killing of a British mine clearer and his translator. They could face life in prison if convicted.
The long-ruling Cambodian People's Party claimed victory as expected in Sunday's elections, with around two-thirds of the 123 seat parliament. The country's economy is booming even as tensions with Thailand rise.
The polls have opened in Cambodia, with the Cambodian People's Party, which has been in power for 29 consecutive years, expected to broaden its majority against a backdrop of a booming economy and heightened nationalism.
Cambodia and Thailand are on the brink of war after a dispute over the Preah Vihear religious monument escalated earlier this month. FRANCE 24 reporters travelled to the temple at the centre of the dispute.
Despite the ASEAN's offer to mediate negotiations, Thailand and Cambodia failed to resolve the increasingly tense dispute over the Preah Vihear temple located on their common border.
Some 500 Thai and 1,000 Cambodian troops have massed near the ruins of an 11th century temple on the border between the two countries, increasing their presence on the fifth day of a tense stand-off.
Cambodia and Thailand have deployed more soldiers along the border close to the ruins of the centuries old Preah Vihear temple, an area claimed by both countries. Top officials of both countries are due to meet on Monday to resolve the stand-off.
Three Thai protesters who attempted to plant a Thai flag at the 900-year-old Preah Vihear temple were freed after 40 Thai troops entered the area to pick them up. FRANCE 24's Nelson Rand reports.
