27 Sep 10 | Index Index, minipost
The leader of the opposition has been sentenced to ten years in prison for comments he made about a border dispute with Vietnam. Sam Rainsy, who is currently living in exile in Paris, was convicted in absentia on 23 September, on charges of spreading disinformation and falsifying maps. He had questioned whether the border had been incorrectly marked by the government in favour of Cambodia, and disseminated a map detailing the accusations. Presiding judge Ke Sakhan said that Rainsy’s acts “seriously affected the honour of the government“. The trial was closed to the public.
11 Jun 10 | Index Index, minipost
The Cambodian authorities have blocked a new documentary that indicts the government in the assassination of an outspoken trade union leader. Who Killed Chea Vichea? argues that Vichea, who championed better pay and working conditions for local factory workers, could not have been killed without the cooperation of Cambodia’s political elites. Two men, sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for Vichea’s murder, were released in 2004 but remain on bail.
21 Apr 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
Boay Roeuy, journalist working for Khmer Machas Srok, a Cambodian newspaper with ties to the Sam Rainsy Party, has alleged that he has been receiving death threats from bodyguards working for the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Hang Chakra, the editor for Khmer Machas Srok was recently released from prison after serving a 10 month sentence for disinformation. He published a series of articles accusing deputy prime minister An Sok of corruption.
15 Mar 10 | Index Index, minipost, Uncategorized
The Cambodian government has used “threats, intimidation and legal action” to reduce the quantity of independent media reporting in the country, a new report has claimed. According to Reporters Without Borders, the governing Cambodian People’s Party is severely limiting journalists’ ability to report on private sector abuses and corruption. The report also condemns Prime Minister Hun Sen for failing to adhere to a promise made in 2006 that Cambodian journalists would no longer be jailed for their work.
