After being convicted of treason, prominent Cambodian opposition politician Kem Sokha was sentenced to 27 years of house arrest on Friday. The U.S. called the prosecution politically motivated.

Judge Koy Sao also told the Phnom Penh court that Kem Sokha could neither run for political office nor vote.

He was jailed in 2017 for plotting with the U.S. to oust self-styled strongman Hun Sen, who has controlled Cambodia for nearly four decades.

The now-defunct Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) leader Kem Sokha refuted the claims, which Washington called “fabricated conspiracy theories.”

Kem Sokha’s lawyer stated he would appeal the judgment.

“He’s under house arrest and has no political or civil rights… Not justice “Ang Udom stated his client could only contact family.

Hundreds of cops on vehicles guarded the court.

The U.S. ambassador to Cambodia, W. Patrick Murphy, called the case a travesty.

“We urge on authorities to enable all Cambodians to enjoy… basic human rights of peaceful assembly and free speech and to participate in developing a true democratic society,” he told reporters outside the court.

The government, which is close to China, ignores U.S. criticism.

A government spokeswoman deferred to the judiciary on the legal matter.

Hun Sen’s Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) won the 2018 election after banning the CNRP.

Many CNRP members have been arrested or exiled in what activists say is a crackdown to prevent challenges to the CPP’s power monopoly.

The Candlelight Party, formed last year by CNRP members, will contest the July elections in Cambodia.

Civil dissent has been suppressed, and many Hun Sen-critical media outlets closed.

Hun Sen closed the Voice of Democracy, one of the last independent Cambodian news organizations, last month, saying it had attacked him and his son and hurt the country.

Hun Sen is expected to run for another five-year term in July, but he has supported his eldest son, Hun Manet, as a possible successor.

Human Rights Watch called Hun Sen’s case against Kem Sokha a “politically motivated ploy” to silence the opposition and end democracy.

“Sending Kem Sokha to prison isn’t just about destroying his political party, but about squashing any hope that there can be a genuine general election in July,” said Human Rights Watch deputy Asia director Phil Robertson.