Cambodia tells US not to interfere in its judicial affairs

Cambodia has urged the United States to stop interfering in its judicial affairs, saying that the country is a sovereign state, according to a statement of the government Press and Quick Reaction Unit.

"The U.S. announcement to support the criminals and not to respect the court's decision is a completely wrong act and can be considered as an intention to increase anarchy and to destroy security and harmony in the whole Cambodian society," said the statement which was released Saturday night.

It added that the Cambodian government could not interfere in the judicial system, which is an independent institution.

"Any order on the government to interfere in the judicial affairs is absolutely unacceptable and is against the principle of law, which was stated in the Constitution," the statement said, urging the U.S. to "immediately stop violating the jurisdiction of the Cambodia's judicial system."

The Cambodian government's reaction came after the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh said on Saturday that it was closely monitoring the case of the 11 opposition party activists convicted of " insurrection" arising out of the July 2014 protests in the capital city.

According to a statement of the U.S. Embassy, the group, which includes Cambodian-American opposition member Meach Sovannara, " was summarily convicted and received sentences that many feel are inappropriate."

"The United States is deeply concerned by the process leading to these convictions. We urge the Cambodian government to carefully review its judicial processes to ensure that they are complete and transparent and in accordance with domestic law and international norms," the statement said.

A Cambodian court on Thursday convicted the 11 opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party members of leading or joining an " insurrection" during an anti-government protest a year ago and sentenced them between seven and 20 years in prison.

The protest at that time turned violent, leaving at least 39 security personnel injured.