The Exile Returns

For John, BLUF:  Unlike our Commonwealth, there seems to be democratic competition in Cambodia.

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Headline in Chinese newspaper Xin Hau, article by Reporter Nguon Sovan.

Huge crowds greet Cambodian opposition chief's return from exile

PHNOM PENH, July 19 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia's charismatic opposition leader Sam Rainsy returned to his homeland on Friday after spending nearly four years abroad in self-imposed exile to avoid an 11-year prison sentence on charges of disinformation and destruction of public property.

This report was confirmed by Bloomberg News, Mr Daniel Ten Kate reporting, HERE.

Cambodia’s Sam Rainsy Returns to Cheers Before Vote Here is the lede and subsequent paragraph:  

Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy arrived in Phnom Penh nine days before a national election, ending a four-year exile after receiving a royal pardon for charges he says were politically motivated.

Thousands of cheering supporters greeted Sam Rainsy, who stood on a makeshift stage at the airport to greet the crowd, according to live footage on his Cambodia National Rescue Party’s website.  The former finance minister has lived abroad since 2009 to avoid jail time for falsifying maps and inciting racial discrimination.

Sam is one of the good guys, no?

Regards  —  Cliff