Cambodia’s high court dissolves main opposition party

Cambodia’s Supreme Court on Thursday dissolved the National Rescue Party in a major blow to democracy in the country. The court also banned all 118 of the opposition party’s members from participating in political activities for five years. Cambodia’s government accused the party of attempting to topple the government—a claim party officials denied. The move is seen as the latest attempt by the authoritarian Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to clear all opposition ahead of next year’s elections. The opposition party was expected to offer the biggest challenge to Hun Sen’s 30-year rule. The government in recent months clamped down on civil society groups and independent media.