Cambodian Opposition Politicians
and Activists Behind Bars
Sam Sokha
CNRP supporter
The Kompong Speu provincial court sentenced CNRP supporter Sam Sokha in absentia on January 25, 2018, to two years in jail and a fine of 5 million riels on charges of insulting public officials and incitement to cause discrimination, in accordance with Articles 494, 496 and 502 of the Criminal Code. Sam Sokha, 38, had posted a video on April 1, 2017, of herself throwing a shoe against a ruling party’s billboard bearing photos of Prime Minister Hun Sen and National Assembly President Heng Samrin. In the video, Sam Sokha says, “These are the men who are destroying our nation.” Her video went viral on social media. Sam Sokha fled Cambodia to avoid imminent arrest and applied for political asylum in Thailand. The UNHCR granted her refugee status. Nevertheless, she was arrested and briefly detained by Thai authorities for overstaying her visa and on Feb 8, 2018 she was handed over to Cambodian authorities.
Ismail Pin Osman
CNRP reserve lawmaker candidate
Authorities from Cambodia’s anti-human trafficking and juvenile protection departments took CNRP supporter Ismail Pin Osman into custody on Feb 7, 2018 after he returned to Cambodia from Thailand, where he had fled under pressure from authorities to defect to the ruling CPP. Authorities accused Ismail Pin Osman of human trafficking for allegedly sending ‘underage female workers’ overseas. Mr. Pin Osman had been a reserve candidate in Kompong Cham province for the CNRP during the 2013 national elections. He is now in pre-trial detention pending a court hearing on the merits of his case.
Mr. Sann Ratha
Government critic and CNRP supporter
Government critic and CNRP supporter Mr. Sann Ratha was arrested by Kompong Cham provincial military police on February 8, 2018 without an arrest warrant. Authorities arrested him on suspicion of illegal use of drug. Mr. Sann Ratha, 30, is migrant worker in Thailand. A week prior to his arrest, he returned to Cambodia to get married in Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey province. He was arrested on his wedding date. Sann Ratha was an active Facebook user who frequently posted videos criticizing Prime Minister Hun Sen and his government for its ongoing crackdown on the CNRP, civil society and independent media. Mr. Sann Ratha is currently in police custody pending further investigation and an official charge from the court prosecutor.
Dim Kundy
Environmental activist
The Koh Kong Provincial Court sentenced environmental activist Dim Kundy on January 26, 2018 to a year of imprisonment and a fine of 1 million riel (US$250) over charges of inciting others to ‘commit crimes’ and violations of privacy. His sentence was suspended or waived seven months, leaving him with five months in jail, with credit for time served in pre-trial detention since September 12, 2017. A member of the now-disbanded NGO Mother Nature, Dim Kundy was arrested on September 12, 2017 while he and another of his colleagues, Hun Vannak, were taking photos of sand dredging operations along the Cambodian coast, carried out by a firm linked to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party senator and business tycoon Ly Yong Phat. He was released on February 13, 2018 after completing his jailed terms.
Hun Vannak
Environmental activist
The Koh Kong Provincial Court sentenced environmental activist Hun Vannak on January 26, 2018 to a year of imprisonment and a fine of 1 million riel (US$250) over charges of inciting others to ‘commit crimes’ and violations of privacy. His sentence was suspended or waived seven months, leaving him with five months in jail, with credit for time served in pre-trial detention since September 12, 2017. A member of the now-disbanded NGO Mother Nature, Hun Vannak was arrested on September 12, 2017 while he and another of his colleagues, Dim Kundy, were taking photos of sand dredging operations along the Cambodian coast, carried out by a firm linked to the ruling Cambodian People’s Party senator and business tycoon Ly Yong Phat. He was released on February 13, 2018 after completing his jailed terms.
Ven. Horn Sophanny
Activist monk
The Battambang Provincial Court on December 19, 2017 sentenced activist monk the Ven. Horn Sophanny to two years in prison for incitement to ‘commit crimes’. Ven. Horn Sophanny was arrested and defrocked on June 21, 2017 following suspicion of ‘illegal’ possession of weapons after he had posted a photo of himself on social media posing with a toy gun. Ven. Horn Sophanny was a member of an activist group widely known as the Independent Monk Network for Social Justice, led by Ven. But Buntenh, who has also been in legal trouble and has taken refuge in the U.S..
Hin Van Sreypov
Former member of the CNRP
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court on January 11, 2018 sentenced Hin Van Sreypov, a former member of the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), to a one-year jail term and a one million riel (US$249) in fine on a charge of incitement to commit ‘crimes’. Hin Van Sreypov, also known as Heng Leakhena, was arrested on July 12, 2017 at a local bus station after she had posted a video of herself commenting on her Facebook page accusing Prime Minister Hun Sen of ordering the murder of a widely known political commentator Mr. Kem Ley who was gunned down in broad daylight in Phnom Penh on July 10, 2016.
Uon Chhin
Former RFA reporter
Former RFA reporter Uon Chhin was arrested on November 14, 2017 in Phnom Penh on suspicion of producing news for a foreign state. On November 18, 2017, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court formally charged Uon Chhin with supplying a foreign state with information prejudicial to Cambodia’s national defense in accordance with Article 445 of the Criminal Code. He faces seven to fifteen years in prison. His bail requests were rejected by all levels of courts. He was released on bail on August 21, 2018 after being detained for 280 days at Prey Sar prison. Despite being temporarily released, he is required by the investigating judge to appear upon future summons; not to change his address or move without the judge’s permission; to show up every first week of the month at Stung Meanchey Administrative Police Station; and not to leave the country. Otherwise, he is subject to further detention at the judge’s discretion. The court is yet to schedule a formal hearing on the merits of his case. Uon Chhin also faces another possible charge of producing pornography in accordance with Article 39 of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation.
Yeang Sothearin
Former RFA reporter
Former RFA reporter Yeang Sothearin, also known as Yeang Sochea Metta, was arrested on November 14, 2017 in Phnom Penh on suspicion of producing news for a foreign state. On November 18, 2017, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court formally charged Yeang Sothearin with supplying a foreign state with information prejudicial to Cambodia’s national defense in accordance with Article 445 of the Criminal Code. He faces up to fifteen years in prison if convicted. His bail requests were rejected by all levels of courts. He was released on bail on August 21, 2018 after being detained for 280 days at Prey Sar prison. Despite being temporarily released, he is required by the investigating judge to appear upon future summons; not to change his address or move without the judge’s permission; to show up every first week of the month at Stung Meanchey Administrative Police Station; and not to leave the country. Otherwise, he is subject to further detention at the judge’s discretion. The court is yet to schedule a formal hearing on the merits of his case. Yeang Sothearin also faces another possible charge of producing pornography in accordance with Article 39 of the Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation.
Mr. Kem Sokha
President of the CNRP
Kem Sokha was arrested around midnight on September 3, 2017. He was immediately sent to Trapeang Phlong prison, in remote Tbaung Khmom province. Phnom Penh Municipal Court deputy prosecutor Sieng Sok formally charged him on September 5 with conspiring with a foreign power to “foment hostilities or acts of aggression against Cambodia,” in accordance with Article 443 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code. His arrest came after Prime Minister Hun Sen accused him of plotting to topple the government with support from the United States.
Mr. Chao Veasna
CNRP Poipet Commune Chief, Banteay Meanchey province
This Khmer-Krom origin CNRP’s Poipet Commune Chief Mr. Chao Veasna was sent to Banteay Meanchey provincial prison on February 16, 2017 for detention following a four-hour interrogation by investigating judge of Banteay Meanchey provincial court. He was charged with incitement to commit violence with extenuating circumstances, allegedly committed in front of the Poipet Customs and Excise Office in May 2015. Mr. Chao Veasna was sentenced by Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court on June 7, 2018 to five years in prison. He along with seven other hand-cart porters were also ordered to pay a total fine of about $15,000 to compensate for damage to the customs office building and property.
Mr. Chhun Sithi
CNRP councilor of Stung Kach commune, Pailin Province
The Pailin Provincial Court sentenced elected CNRP councilor Chhun Sithi on March 23, 2018 to one year in jail and fined him 8 million riels [about U.S. $2,000] on charges of incitement to disturb social security and insulting a public official. Police arrested Chhun Sithi on October 24, 2017, a day after he posted a video clip on social media with a message to Prime Minister Hun Sen stating that he would not defect to the ruling party, even if the CNRP was dissolved or he was forced from his position.
Kim Sok
Social and Political Commentator
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced political analyst Kim Sok on August 10, 2017 to 18 months in prison. The court found him guilty of defamation for allegedly suggesting during an interview with RFA that Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party orchestrated the 2016 murder of popular political pundit Kem Lay. The court ordered Kim Sok to pay 800 million riels ($200,000) in compensation to Hun Sen, and an 8 million riels ($2,000) fine to the state. He was released on August 17, 2018 after completing his jail time. Kim Sok, however, still faces another complaint filed by Hun Sen in connection with his remarks allegedly saying that Hun Sen’s government has created a system that cannot bring the murderers of Kem Ley, Chea Vichea, Ven. Sam Buntheoun, Chhut Vuthy, and others to justice.
Ven Sopheap, also known as Sam Sopheap
Migrant worker in Thailand
Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced Ven Sopheap, 27, to two years in jail and fined him 2 million riels [US$500.00] over the charges of making a death threat to Prime Minister Hun Sen and inciting discrimination against Vietnamese via Facebook posts. He was arrested by Interior Ministry’s cybercrimes department on October 27, 2016 after returning from Thailand to visit his homeland in Prey Veng province.
Ny Chakrya
Deputy Secretary-General of the National Election Committee (NEC)
Ny Chakrya was sent to Police Judiciare (PJ) prison for temporary detention after Phnom Penh Municipal Court charged him as an accomplice in a bribery of a witness, under articles 29 and 548 of the Criminal Code. He was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) on April 28, 2016 and was sent to the court on May 1, 2016 over a corruption complaint brought against him by Khom Chandaraty, also known as Srey Mom. He was released conditionally on June 29, 2017 following a 427-day pre-trial detention.
Lim Mony
Deputy Head of Women and Children’s Rights Section of ADHOC
Lim Mony has been temporarily detained in CC2 prison over charges of bribing a witness, under article 548 of the Criminal Code. She was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) on April 28, 2016 and was sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 1, 2016 over a corruption complaint brought against her by Khom Chandaraty, also known as Srey Mom. She was released conditionally on June 29, 2017 following a 427-day pre-trial detention.
Ny Sokha
Head of Human Rights Monitoring Section of ADHOC
Ny Sokha has been temporarily detained in CC1 prison over charges of bribing a witness, under article 548 of the Criminal Code. He was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) on April 27, 2016 and was sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 1, 2016 over a corruption complaint brought against him by Khom Chandaraty, also known as Srey Mom. He was released conditionally on June 29, 2017 following a 427-day pre-trial detention.
Nay Vanda
Deputy Head of Human Rights Monitoring Section of ADHOC
Nay Vanda has been temporarily detained in CC1 prison over charges of bribing a witness, under article 548 of the Criminal Code. He was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) on April 27, 2016 and was sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 1, 2016 over a corruption complaint brought against him by Khom Chandaraty, also known as Srey Mom. He was released conditionally on June 29, 2017 following a 427-day pre-trial detention.
Yi Soksan
Head of Land and Natural Resources Section of ADHOC
Yi Soksan has been temporarily detained in CC1 prison over charges of bribing a witness, under article 548 of the Criminal Code. He was questioned by the Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU) on April 28, 2016 and was sent to Phnom Penh Municipal Court on May 1, 2016 over a corruption complaint brought against him by Khom Chandaraty, also known as Srey Mom. He was released conditionally on June 29, 2017 following a 427-day pre-trial detention.
Tep Vanny
Land Rights Activist
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court sentenced land activist and human rights campaigner Tep Vanny on February 23, 2017 to two and a half years in prison and a fine of 5 million riels [about US$1,250] for “aggravated intentional violence.” She was also ordered to compensate two state security guards, the plaintiffs, 9 million riels [about US$2,250] in compensation, after she allegedly used violence against security guards during a protest outside Prime Minister Hun Sen’s Phnom Penh mansion in March 2013. Tep Vanny was arrested on August 15, 2016 while she was holding a ‘Black Monday’ campaign in her Boeung Kak Lake community to demand release of political prisoners and human rights defenders. Rights groups have condemned the verdict and demanded that she be freed. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court’s ruling was upheld by the Appeal Court on August 8, 2017, and by the Supreme Court on December 8, 2017. She was granted a royal amnesty by King Sihamoni and released on August 20, 2018, after being jailed for 735 days.
Um Sam An
CNRP Member of Parliament, Siem Reap Constituency
Um Sam An was sentenced by Phnom Penh Municipal Court on October 10, 2016 to two and a half years in jail and four million riels (about U.S.$ 976) fine, in accordance with articles 495 and 496 of the Criminal Code. He was charged over incitement to cause discrimination and to commit a felony after he accused the Cambodian government of using fake maps to demarcate the Cambodia-Vietnam border. He was arrested at midnight on April 11, 2016 after arriving in Siem Reap from the United States.
Hong Sok Hour
Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) Senator and CNRP Senior Official
Hong Sok Hour was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on November 7, 2016 to seven years in jail on three charges, namely: incitement, forging a public document and using a forged document in relation to Cambodia-Vietnam border issues. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued him an arrest warrant on August 14, 2015, two days after Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered his arrest despite his parliamentary immunity. The Prime Minister accused him of treason and said forged a 1979 border treaty between Cambodia and Vietnam stating that the two countries agrees to “dissolve” its common border. He was released on October 25, 2017 following the King granted him amnesty.
Meach Sovannara
CNRP Senior Official
Meach Sovannara was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to 20 years in jail on charges of joining and leading a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Oeur Narit
CNRP Activist
Oeur Narit was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to 20 years in jail on charges of joining and leading a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Ouk Pechsamnang
CNRP Activist
Ouk Pechsamnang was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to 20 years in jail on charges of joining and leading a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Neang Sokhun
CNRP Activist
Neang Sokhun was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to seven years in jail on charges of joining a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
An Batham
CNRP Activist
An Batham was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to seven years in jail on charges of joining a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Sum Puthy
CNRP Activist
Sum Puthy was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to seven years in jail on charges of joining a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Khin Chamreun
CNRP Activist
Khin Chamreun was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to 20 years in jail on charges of joining and leading a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Keo Khim
CNRP Activist
He was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to seven years in jail on charges of joining a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Yun Kimhour
CNRP activist
The investigating judge of Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued Yun Kimhour a detention order and sent him to Prey Sar prison on August 5, 2015, on charges of joining the riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
San Kimheng
CNRP Activist
San Kimheng was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to seven years in jail on charges of joining a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
San Seyhak
CNRP Activist
San Seyhak was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to seven years in jail on charges of joining a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Tep Narin
CNRP Activist
Tep Narin was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on July 21, 2015 to seven years in jail on charges of joining a riot at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Norng Sarith
Bavet City Councilor from Sam Rainsy Party
Svay Rieng Provincial Court charged Norng Sarith with forging a public document and incitement to commit a felony. He was arrested on November 19, 2015 after he had posted on Facebook a fake birth certificate belonging to a villager, insinuating that Svay Rieng is located in Vietnam.
Sok Sam Ean
CNRP Activist
Svay Rieng Provincial Court charged Sok Sam Ean with forging a public document and incitement to commit a felony. He was arrested on November 19, 2015 after he had posted on Facebook a fake birth certificate belonging to a villager, insinuating that Svay Rieng is located in Vietnam.
Mu Sochua
CNRP Lawmaker
Mu Sochua was freed from Prey Sar Prison on July 22, 2014, after the CPP and CNRP reached an agreement to end their political dispute. She was arrested for violence that took place at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Real Camerin
CNRP Lawmaker
Real Camerin was freed from Prey Sar Prison on July 22, 2014, after the CPP and CNRP reached an agreement to end their political dispute. He was arrested for violence that took place at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Long Ry
CNRP Lawmaker
Long Ry was freed from Prey Sar Prison on July 22, 2014, after the CPP and CNRP reached an agreement to end their political dispute. He was arrested for violence that took place at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Men Sothavarin
CNRP Lawmaker
Men Sothavarin was freed from Prey Sar Prison on July 22, 2014, after the CPP and CNRP reached an agreement to end their political dispute. He was arrested for violence that took place at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Keo Phirum
CNRP Lawmaker
Keo Phirum was freed from Prey Sar Prison on July 22, 2014, after the CPP and CNRP reached an agreement to end their political dispute. He was arrested for violence that took place at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Ho Vann
CNRP Lawmaker
Ho Vann was freed from Prey Sar Prison on July 22, 2014, after the CPP and CNRP reached an agreement to end their political dispute. He was arrested for violence that took place at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Nuth Rumduol
CNRP Lawmaker
Nuth Rumduol was freed from Prey Sar Prison on July 22, 2014, after the CPP and CNRP reached an agreement to end their political dispute. He was arrested for violence that took place at Freedom Park on July 15, 2014.
Sun Mala
Member of the NGO Mother Nature
The Appellate Court on February 15, 2017 upheld the ruling of Koh Kong Provincial Court which sentenced him to 18 months in jail on the charges of threatening to cause destruction in accordance with Article 424 of the Criminal Code. Sun Mala was freed by the same court on July 1, 2016 after having served 10 months and 15 days in jail while the remaining of his jailed sentence period was suspended.
Try Sovikea
Member of the NGO Mother Nature
The Appellate Court on February 15, 2017 upheld the ruling of Koh Kong Provincial Court which sentenced him to 18 months in jail on the charges of threatening to cause destruction in accordance with Article 424 of the Criminal Code. Try Sovikea was freed by the same court on July 1, 2016 after having served 10 months and 15 days in jail while the remaining of his jailed sentence period was suspended.
Sim Somnang
Member of the NGO Mother Nature
The Appellate Court on February 15, 2017 upheld the ruling of Koh Kong Provincial Court which sentenced him to 18 months in jail on the charges of threatening to cause destruction in accordance with Article 424 of the Criminal Code. Sim Somnang was freed by the same court on July 1, 2016 after having served 10 months and 15 days in jail while the remaining of his jailed sentence period was suspended.
Ven Vorn
Representative of Areng Community
Koh Kong Provincial Court released Ven Vorn on bail on March 3, 2016 after sentencing him to a one-year suspended jail term on charge of collecting forest products without permission. Ven Vorn was arrested and sent to Koh Kong provincial prison on October 7, 2015 after he had bought some logs to build community houses in Areng.