Cambodian senator, facing alleged treason, in hiding

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A Cambodian senator is in hiding Thursday after a call by Prime Minister Hun Sen for his arrest for alleged treason.

Sok Hour, a senator with the small opposition Sam Rainsy Party, allegedly posted fake transcripts on his Facebook page of treaties pertaining to the Cambodia-Vietnam border, an action outraging Hun Sen.

"Whatever (the) price, the government has to take action. This is treason, I can say it like this," the prime minister said at a Phnom Penh graduation ceremony Thursday after ordering an arrest and alerting Phnom Penh's airport to block Sok Hour's possible departure.

Early reports that Suk Hour had been arrested were false, said Senator Teav Vannol of the Sam Rainsy Party. "I'm not sure of the location, but I know he has not been arrested... as of this hour, he is in a safe place. I talked to his wife, and his wife said that he told her he is in a safe place," Teav Vannol told the Phnom Penh Post.

Sok Hour has been instrumental in helping the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), the country's major opposition party, in a campaign alleging encroachment of territory by Vietnam. He flew to Paris recently to obtain constitutionally-mandated maps allegedly demarcating Cambodia's eastern boundary.

The CNRP claims Vietnam has been using other maps to increase its territory, increasing political conflict.

Prime Minister Hun Sen has attempted to consolidate power despite the waning popularity of his Cambodian People's Party, including, in the name of boosting morale, the summoning of 5,000 military officers to a conference to discuss the border dispute with Vietnam.