Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has signed a request for a pardon of self-exiled opposition leader Sam Rainsy, just weeks ahead of a general election, dpa quoted an official as saying Friday. The premier has signed off on the request submitted by Sam Rainsy and passed it on to King Norodom Sihamoni, a spokesman for the Council of Ministers said. "It is true, the request for a royal pardon," he said, "because of the good heart and willingness of Prime Minister Hun Sen." Rainsy has lived abroad since 2009 to avoid an 11-year jail sentence for raft of convictions including defamation. The pardon request comes ahead of polls set for July 28, in which Prime Minister Hun Sen had been widely expected to win a fifth mandate in Sam Rainsy's absence.
