Deposed Cambodian Royalist Leader Charged with Breach of Trust

A Cambodian court has charged the deposed leader of the country's royalist party, Prince Norodom Ranariddh, with breach of trust in an embezzlement lawsuit filed against him by his former party colleagues.

Prosecutors say the prince is accused of cheating his Funcinpec party in the sale of the party's headquarters earlier this year. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

The lawsuit was filed by the party's secretary-general, and also accuses Prince Norodom Ranariddh of embezzling three-point-six million dollars from the sale. The court is still investigating that charge.

The lawsuit is the latest setback for the prince, who was removed as president of the party two months ago. He is also facing an adultery lawsuit filed by his estranged wife, Princess Norodom Marie Ranariddh.