'Yes I am Afraid'

Cambodia's leader Hun Sen, a one-time mid-level Khmer Rouge commander, has overseen many crackdowns during the two decades he has stood at or near the helm of power. The United Nations oversaw historic elections in Cambodia in 1993, but Hun Sen never relinquished his grip, even though he lost. In fact, the dozen years since have only seen him consolidate his power. Opponents and rivals have been bought off, terrorized or physically eliminated. He went on to win two subsequent elections, in large part, thanks to his political party's domination of the electoral apparatus.

Last year, Cambodia's courts began targeting his highest-profile opponents in politics, the press and even human rights organizations, using an outdated defamation law. Those who criticize Hun Sen, or who are somehow linked to such criticism, are discovering crowded jail cells await them. On Dec. 31, heavily armed police came for Kem Sokha, president of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights. He was taken to a cell at Prey Sa prison and held for 17 days. He spoke by phone this week with NEWSWEEK's Eric Pape, just days after his surprise release. Excerpts:

NEWSWEEK: What was it like in prison?

Kem Sokha: The hygiene is bad, the water, too. Some cells still have 10 or 20 people in them. I was lucky; I only had five in a cell that was five-by-three meters. (Coughs.) Many of the people in prison are sick. I have the flu and a sore throat.

Have you been to a doctor?

I haven't had time yet because so many people were waiting to see me. About 10,000 supporters in front of the prison, on the road and in front of my office. They were calling out my name: Kem Sokha, Kem Sokha, Kem Sokha. I did not expect this.