Cambodian court order seizure of former opposition HQ

PHNOM PENH - A Cambodian court has ordered the seizure of the former opposition party headquarters, months after the group was dissolved as part of a wide-ranging crackdown. 
The ruling makes good on a threat by strongman Prime Minister Hun Sen, who vowed to pursue ownership of the building as part of lawsuits against Sam Rainsy, co-founder of the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). 
In a warrant dated February 26 and seen by AFP on Tuesday, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court decided to "temporarily seize the property (land and building)" of Rainsy following a request by a lawyer for both Hun Sen and the president of the National Assembly, Heng Samrin. 
The judge said the warrant would be cancelled when Rainsy deposited more than $1 million at the court, roughly the sum for which Hun Sen and Heng Samrin are suing him regarding separate defamation cases. 
Rainsy, who regularly accuses senior figures of corruption and mismanagement, lives in self-exile to avoid the many charges against him, which he says are politically motivated. 
In a statement he described the decision as part of the cases "orchestrated to suppress me" and vowed to continue fighting for freedom and justice for Cambodians. 
The move is the latest swipe at any challenge to Hun Sen's 33-year rule before national elections scheduled for July. 
The courts dissolved the opposition in November following the arrest of its senior leader in the country Kem Sokha. 
The CNRP's parliamentary and commune seats were redistributed, helping Hun Sen's Cambodian People's Party sweep controversial Senate elections on Sunday. 
Rainsy has derided that vote as a "farce". 
Cambodia has tilted away from the west and towards China, which offers cash and exerts zero pressure on human rights. 
But the crackdown, which has included the shuttering of media outlets and NGOs, has not been without consequences. 
The EU and the US have withdrawn support for the July election, while Germany has suspended preferential visa treatment for private travel for Hun Sen and his family. 

Sridevi death due to accidental drowning, case closed: Dubai Public Prosecution 


Dubai, Feb 27 (PTI) The Dubai Public Prosecutors Office on Tuesday closed the investigation into Bollywood actor Sridevi's death and cited the forensic report to say she had accidentally drowned following loss of consciousness. 

According to local media reports, the family has got custody of the body and taken it for embalming. 

The Dubai Media Office, the official Twitter handle of the media office of the government, said in a series of tweets that the decision to release the body was taken after thorough investigation. 

"Dubai Public Prosecution has approved the release of the body of the Indian actress Sridevi to her family following the completion of a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances of her death," it said. 

"Dubai Public Prosecution stressed that all regular procedures followed in such cases have been completed. As per the forensic report, the death of the Indian actress occurred due to accidental drowning following loss of consciousness. 

The case has now been closed." 

The 54-year-old actor, known as Indian cinema's first woman superstar, passed away in her hotel room in the Jumeirah Emirates Towers late on Saturday, leaving fans, family and friends stunned.