The day after Freedom Park violence: Five MPs at Court

The 5 CNRP politicians are:

• Mu Sochua, lawmaker-elect, Battambang
• Men Thavrith, lawmaker-elect, Kampong Thom
• Keo Phearum, lawmaker-elect, Kratie
• Ho Vann, lawmaker-elect, Phnom Penh
• Real Khemrin, lawmaker-elect, Svay Rieng

The first three were arrested yesterday morning during the violent clashes which broke out at a CNRP-organised demonstration to protest the months-long closure of Phnom Penh’s Freedom Park. Ho Vann was arrested later in the day when he voluntarily attended the police station and Real Khemrin was arrested this morning. They arrived at court shortly after 7 am with a heavy police and military police presence.

Updated at 11:02 ICT

There are barricades to the north and south of the court as there were for the Free the 23 trials. A crowd of around 500 has gathered at the northern end.

Updated at 09:46 ICT

The CNRP press conference is underway and is being chaired by party leader Kem Sokha. He has said that the violence at Freedom Park yesterday was started by the authorities and that he has evidence to prove it. He has shown video footage of yesterday's violence. In the picture above, Sokha is showing a picture of the 5 CNRP politicians with their hands cuffed behind their backs.

Updated at 09:40 ICT

In a letter dated yesterday, the Council of Ministers announced that it will be holding a press conference at 11 am about the violence at Freedom Park. The conference will be chaired by Keo Remy, Secretary of State for the Council of Ministers.

Updated at 09:59 ICT

The CNRP press conference has now finished. Kem Sokha asked for all CNRP politicians present to prepare to go to the Municipal Court shortly.

Supporters call for release of MPs

At the northern barricade, protesters are showing their support for MPs. One supporter tells the crowd she has come from Kampong Chhnang to ask the court to release the MPs. Another asks the court not to detain them for use as a bargaining chip in political negotiations.

Updated at 10:11 ICT

Freelance journalist Kevin Doyle is following today's events. Like the supporters outside the court, he notes the political significance of today's events.

If 5 Cambodian opposition lawmakers are jailed today, it gives Hun Sen strong bargaining chip to force opposition end boycott of parliament

— Kevin Doyle (@doyle_kevin) July 16, 2014

At the southern barricades, at least 500 supporters have gathered and are beginning to make their voices heard.

Updated at 10:17 ICT

On his daughter's Facebook page, Kem Sokha calls for support from the international community in securing the release of the 5 MPs.

Updated at 10:21 ICT

Vorn Pao, President of IDEA (Independent Democracy of Informal Economy Association) has joined the crowd at the southern barricade. Pao was one of 23 men detained during the January garment worker protests. He was recently released from prison following six months of pre-trial detention.

He tells the crowd that the CNRP MPs arrested yesterday helped to protest for his release and that now calls on the court to release them.

Updated at 10:35 ICT