Royal Pardon Allows Kem Sokha to Travel Abroad
Royal Pardon Allows Kem Sokha to Travel Abroad
PHNOM PENH, 24 July 2026 — Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni has granted a royal pardon removing the five-year restriction that barred former opposition leader Kem Sokha from leaving the country, according to a royal decree issued on Friday.
The decree revokes the additional penalty prohibiting Kem Sokha from traveling outside Cambodia, allowing him to leave the country.
Article 2 of the royal decree states that the pardon applies only to the overseas travel restriction and does not affect any other additional penalties imposed on him.
The latest royal clemency follows an earlier pardon granted on May 25, 2026, which removed Kem Sokha’s 27-year prison sentence. However, that pardon did not lift the restrictions preventing him from traveling abroad or engaging in political activities.
According to the announcement, the latest royal decree was issued following a request submitted by Prime Minister Hun Manet.
With the removal of the travel ban, Kem Sokha is now free to travel overseas. The remaining restriction is the prohibition on participating in political activities, which remains in effect under the terms of his sentence.
