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The case against Thach Setha was based on remarks posted on social media that he made in January to Cambodian overseas workers about then-Prime Minister Hun Sen and Cambodia’s relations with neighboring Vietnam.

Some opposition politicians have used inflammatory anti-Vietnamese rhetoric to try to win support, but the government also prosecutes politicians such as Thach Setha who are merely critical of official policy toward Vietnam.

“It is outrageous and unacceptable that Thach Setha has been imprisoned for three years for simply expressing his views via a social media post,” Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director of Human Rights Watch, said in an emailed statement.

Thach Setha’s lawyer, Sam Sokong, said his client would appeal the verdict.

The same Phnom Penh court on Sept. 21 sentenced Thach Setha to 18 months in prison for allegedly issuing worthless checks in a case his party called politically motivated.