Asia Briefs: Arrest warrant for Manila drug critic

Arrest warrant for Manila drug critic

MANILA • An arrest warrant was issued yesterday for the highest-profile opponent of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's brutal war on drugs, outraging her supporters who said the move was aimed at silencing her.

Senator Leila de Lima, 57, a lawyer who has spent nearly a decade trying to link Mr Duterte to death squads that have allegedly killed thousands of people, faces drug trafficking charges that could see her jailed for life.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE


Cambodia land activist jailed over protest

PHNOM PENH • A Cambodian court sentenced a prominent land rights activist to 21/2 years' jail yesterday for her role in a protest outside Prime Minister Hun Sen's residence in 2013.

Tep Vanny was found guilty of assaulting security guards while trying to deliver a petition asking for assistance in a long-running land dispute.

Eyewitness testimony that neither Vanny nor other protesters were involved in any clash failed to sway the judge.

REUTERS

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 24, 2017, with the headline Asia Briefs: Arrest warrant for Manila drug critic. Subscribe