String of Cambodian politicians flee the PM’s 'foreign slaves' chase

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has widened a crackdown on his critics, forcing half of the country's opposition politicians to flee overseas in fear of arrest.

The latest to join the exodus is Mu Sochua, a respected and outspoken deputy leader of the Cambodian National Rescue Party (CNRP), which has been left decimated ahead of general elections next year.

Mu Sochua, 63, said after flying out of Cambodia that "without a true opposition and with the wide level of fear, there's no hope for free and fair elections in 2018".

"Democracy in Cambodia is very rapidly eroding to a point where no other opposing forces are left to fight dictatorship," she said, adding she had been told her arrest was imminent.

Cry for international help

Hun Sen, a former commander of the murderous Khmer Rouge who has ruled the country with an iron-fist for 32 years, has vowed to arrest alleged "rebels" and "foreign slaves" who he claims are part of a US-backed conspiracy to overthrow him.

But human rights groups say Hun Sen has embarked on a campaign of repression that is sliding the south-east Asian country into a dictatorship.

Sochua, known for campaigns to fight sex trafficking and assert women's rights, told Australian media at the end of 2016 that millions of Cambodians were concerned about the future of their democracy.

"We appeal to Australia and other countries to help us," she said.

Her decision to leave came after Kem Sokha, the leader of her party, was arrested on treason charges in an early morning commando-style raid on his house by 200 armed police on 3 September.