Opposition leader Sam Rainsy is still alive
As the general election in Cambodia is coming up on Sunday, July 23, a lively claim on social media claims that Sam Rainsy, the former president of the Candlelight Party and the CNRP, is dead. Such posts have been shared and reacted to by users recently. However, our fact-finding and verification found that this claim is false.
This is about our investigation of this claim.
Social Media Claim
On July 7, 2023, a Facebook user recently posted a photo showing a wreath with a photo of Sam Rainsy on a vehicle, claiming he had died. The photo attached to the above post has been distributed several times, along with reactions and mixed opinions from many Khmer-speaking Facebook users.
The following is a snippet captured from a user post that said, “Our president is now dead, brothers and sisters”.
Fact Check
Fact Crescendo Cambodia reviewed and verified the above claims through information and messages posted by Sam Rainsy in the last few days.
News of the death of the top opposition leader should be officially announced and disseminated by the media or through its own party. However, as of July 12, 2023, there is no official confirmation that the former leader has already passed away.
According to Sam Rainsy’s official Facebook page, which broadcast live on the “Voice of the National Rescue Forum” on July 11, 2023, a former CNRP leader, Sam Rainsy, was recently also present as a speaker in discussions about Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen using the election game to seize reproductive power.
Below is the full video clip of a live discussion, which Sam Rainsy also attended directly.
On one of the Facebook users' profiles, a picture with the exact same shape and form was also discovered. The flower that was placed on the vehicle beside a picture of Sam Rainsy was likewise not displayed by the aforementioned Facebook user. The same image depicts the Candlelight Party march, and the only decoration on the white vehicle is the Candlelight Party emblem.
Below is a comparison between the edited photo and the original photo found on social media.
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You may find the details of this fact-check in Khmer language here as well.
Conclusion
Fact Crescendo Cambodia found that the photos posted by the above users are false. The photo was digitally altered before being posted on social media, while Sam Rainsy is still alive. As usual, he just appeared in the forum of the National Rescue on July 11, 2023.
