Cambodia Supreme Court upholds jail sentences for two journalists accused of revealing military secrets
Rights groups said the ruling shows courts are being used to curb press freedom after border-clash photos led to treason convictions.
- On Thursday, Cambodia's Supreme Court upheld 14-year prison sentences for journalists Pheap Pheara and Phorn Sopheap, convicted of treason for posting photos taken in a military-restricted area after border clashes with Thailand.
- Pheap and Sopheap were arrested last July after posting Facebook photos allegedly showing them with Cambodian soldiers at the disputed Ta Krabei temple, which authorities deemed prejudicial to national defense.
- Human Rights Watch and Licadho criticized the verdict, with deputy Asia director Bryony Lau telling The Associated Press it shows authorities' "disdain for media freedom" and demonstrates "lack of independence from the ruling party."
- Cambodia's Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra defended the decision, saying the court reached an independent ruling that "protects journalism while also safeguarding national security, political stability and national defense."
- The ruling follows the recent conviction of opposition politician Rong Chhun, as Cambodia ranks 161st out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index, placing it among states where press freedom is "very serious.
21 Articles
21 Articles
Cambodia Supreme Court upholds jail sentences for two journalists accused of revealing military secrets
Cambodia's Supreme Court has upheld the sentences of two journalists jailed last year on charges of revealing military secrets during the country's border clashes with Thailand, their lawyer's office said on Thursday.
Cambodia upholds 14-year jail terms for journalists in treason case
PHNOM PENH, June 25 — Cambodia’s Supreme Court upheld 14-year prison sentences today for two journalists convicted of treason for posting a photo taken in a military-restricted area after border clashes with Thailand, a judge told AFP.Pheap Phara and Phorn Sopheap were arrested in July last year after posting a photo on Facebook that appeared to show them with Cambodian soldiers at the centuries-old Ta Krabei temple, located on the disputed fron…
Associated Press News
Cambodia Supreme Court upholds treason convictions of 2 journalists, raising press freedom questions
Cambodia’s Supreme Court has upheld the treason convictions and 14-year prison sentences of journalists Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, who were accused of posting Facebook photos from a restricted military zone during last year’s border clashes with Thailand.
The Cambodian Supreme Court upheld the 14-year prison sentence for two journalists on June 25th for treason over the posting of photos last year showing PMN-2 bombs strung together and placed near Ta Kwai Temple. Human rights groups have accused Prime Minister Hun Manet's government of using its influence over the courts to suppress press freedom. Kang Pho The Were, one of the defense lawyers, stated that the Supreme Court's decision came shortl…
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