Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Boeung Kak activists appeal convictions

Boeung Kak activists appeal convictions

Jailed Boeung Kak activist Tep Vanny smiles for the press as she leaves the Supreme Court on Friday.
Jailed Boeung Kak activist Tep Vanny smiles for the press as she leaves the Supreme Court on Friday. Heng Chivoan

Boeung Kak activists appeal convictions

Prominent Boeung Kak community member Tep Vanny and two other jailed activists appealed their six-month convictions for allegedly insulting and obstructing public officials during a 2011 protest, and asked for all charges to be dropped before the Supreme Court on Friday.

Four were sentenced by Phnom Penh Municipal Court last September. One of the activists, Heng Mom, was not present in the courtroom yesterday.

In the courtroom, Vanny, Bo Chhorvy and Kong Chantha again denied accusations that they had instigated violence against the Daun Penh district security forces during a protest at City Hall against forced evictions at Boeung Kak.

“We just filed a petition to [the] Municipal Hall regarding the Boeun Kak land dispute,” Vanny said. “We followed the law and it is unfair on us.”

Prosecutor Chan Dararaksmey asked the court to reject the appeal, citing “clear evidence” of guilt.

He added that the 30 to 40 protesters had screamed, caused a traffic jam and assaulted security forces – causing bleeding from scratches and using both high heels and stones as weapons. Witnesses and the accused have repeatedly denied the official account.

Vanny was sentenced to two and a half years in prison in February on separate charges related to a 2013 protest and is currently behind bars. The three co-accused are currently out on bail, pending appeals. The Supreme Court’s verdict is expected on December 8.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Tina rebuffs ‘false claims’ over falling paddy price

    Agriculture minister Dith Tina has shed light on the trade of paddy rice in Battambang – Cambodia’s leading rice-producing province – in a bid to curb what he dubs a “social media fact distortion campaign” to destabilise the market. While acknowledging that the prices of paddy

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Kampot curfew imposed to curb ‘gang’ violence

    Kampot provincial police have announced measures to contain a recent spike in antisocial behaviour by “unruly’ youth. Officials say the province has been plagued by recent violence among so-called “gang members”, who often fight with weapons such as knives and machetes. Several social observers have

  • PM outlines plans to discuss trade, policy during US visit

    Prime Minister Hun Manet is set to meet with senior US officials and business leaders during his upcoming visit to the US for the UN General Assembly (UNGA), scheduled for September 20. While addressing nearly 20,000 workers in Kampong Speu province, Manet said he aims to affirm