Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Boeung Kak activists’ sentences upheld

Boeung Kak activists’ sentences upheld

Boeung Kak activist Tep Vanny is escorted by officials into the Supreme Court in January this year.
Boeung Kak activist Tep Vanny is escorted by officials into the Supreme Court in January this year. Hong Menea

Boeung Kak activists’ sentences upheld

The Supreme Court on Friday upheld the convictions and six-month sentences of three Boeung Kak activists – including Tep Vanny – for allegedly obstructing and insulting public officials during a 2011 demonstration outside Phnom Penh City Hall.

Vanny, Bo Chhorvy, Kong Chantha and Heng Mom – who was not part of the appeal – were originally sentenced in September 2016, five years after an effort by some 100 community activists to deliver a petition to City Hall turned violent when security forces tried to disperse them. The activists were delivering the petition on behalf of 94 families excluded from a resettlement deal to make way for a massive development by the company Shukaku Inc, headed by ruling party Senator Lao Meng Khin. Authorities accused the four of attacking and “insulting” security officials.

According to a statement from rights NGO Licadho, neither the plaintiffs’ lawyers nor witnesses were present during the appeal process. “As in earlier court hearings on this case, insufficient evidence was presented to meet the legal standards for proof,” it reads.

Read more: Boeung Kak: A Disastrous Decade

Court spokesman Nov Monichoth confirmed yesterday the verdict was upheld and declined to comment on alleged irregularities. He also could not confirm when Chhorvy and Chantha, who were out on bail, will begin to serve their sentences.

Vanny has been in Prey Sar prison since August 2016, and is already serving a 30-month sentence for her alleged role in a 2013 demonstration outside Prime Minister Hun Sen’s house.

Additional reporting by Mech Dara

MOST VIEWED

  • Tensions high ahead of historic Kun Khmer match up

    The long-awaited November 5 matchup between Kun Khmer legend Prum Samnang and Myanmar-Canadian boxer Dave Leduc has become the most anticipated fight of the year. The Wurkz Sena Kun Khmer promotion, which will be held at the Town Arena at Chip Mong 271 Megamall, will see six

  • Manet: Cambodia safe for travel

    Prime Minister Hun Manet acknowledged that Cambodia and China have cooperated to tackle internet scamming, fraud and other cross border crimes, but insisted that the “Kingdom of Wonders” is completely peaceful and safe. He welcomed tourists to come and explore its rich heritage. During a

  • UNESCO formally list Battambang gastronomy

    Battambang, renowned for its cultural heritage, has achieved a significant milestone as the first Cambodian municipality to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). The UCCN unites nearly 300 cities prioritising creativity and cultural industries in local development plans and international cooperation. On World Cities Day,

  • Cambodia pivots to solar, wind energy

    Cambodia is planning a move towards solar and wind energy to meet its rising power demands, according to Minister of Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak. On the sidelines of the Singapore International Energy Week event held recently, Rottanak emphasised the urgency of diversifying Cambodia’s

  • Angkor causeway symbol of Cambodia-Japan ties

    In a historic moment marking another milestone in the 70-year-long diplomatic relations between Cambodia and Japan, King Norodom Sihamoni celebrated the formal inauguration of a causeway located to the west of the world-renowned Angkor Wat. While presiding over the November 4 ceremony, the King emphasised the

  • Manet calls for Cambodia’s railways to get back on track

    Prime Minister Hun Manet has instructed the relevant authorities to expedite studies into upgrades to the Phnom Penh to Preah Sihanouk railway line. He suggested that the maximum speed on the line should be increased to 80km/h, in order to expedite the transportation of