Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Borei Keila activists held over ‘Black Monday’

Borei Keila activists held over ‘Black Monday’

Sor Son, a Borei Keila land activist, is escorted into a police car after being arrested for protesting on a Black Monday event yesterday in Phnom Penh. RFA
Sor Son, a Borei Keila land activist, is escorted into a police car after being arrested for protesting on a Black Monday event yesterday in Phnom Penh. RFA

Borei Keila activists held over ‘Black Monday’

Two Borei Keila activists were arrested and questioned for more than 10 hours yesterday for conducting a small “Black Monday” protest calling for the release of human rights staffers and fellow activist Tep Vanny.

The duo, Sar Sorn and Nat Sreynak, were taken into custody by district police and security guards around 8:30am for wearing black and sloganeering at Borei Keila, while holding banners calling for the release of four Adhoc staffers, an elections official and Vanny. They were let go yesterday evening.

The civil-society-backed Black Monday protests were started last May following the arrest of Adhoc staffers Lim Mony, Ny Sokha, Nay Vanda and Yi Soksan, and National Election Committee official Ny Chakrya.

The protest has grown to include Vanny, who has been convicted and jailed in three separate cases, as well as a call for a transparent investigation into political commentator Kem Ley’s murder in July.

Sorn said authorities asked her why she held the protest, adding that she was made to agree to not hold any more such events. “However, I will continue making these demands because I believe it’s not illegal.”

Veal Veng commune police chief Mok Borunchorsak said he had been instructed by his superiors to arrest activists wearing black and conducting protests. Government officials have likened the protests to a “colour revolution”, a reference to nonviolent movements that have unseated regimes in Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

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