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A social activist was sentenced by the Phnom Penh Municipal Courtroom to 2 years’ jail for incitement to commit a felony on Tuesday for his activism and fined 4 million riel. His lawyer, who argued that his consumer was exercising his freedom of expression, mentioned that an attraction could be filed subsequent week.
Outspoken Thou Vakhim was detained in Phnom Penh final September for social feedback he frequently posted on Fb. He spoke about human rights violations, together with calling for the discharge of former youth chief Koet Saray, 5 Mom Nature Cambodia environmental activists, and justice for murdered political analyst Kem Ley, in accordance with NGO Licadho.
“[…] can not settle for [the conviction], it’s unfair to my consumer. He didn’t commit [the offense] which he has been charged with. He was solely exercising his proper to freedom of expression,” mentioned lawyer Em Chantha.
The fitting to freedom of expression on Fb by clicking “Share” and “Remark” with regard to the criticism of presidency leaders, significantly in relation to the Cambodia-Thailand border problem, could be challenged, he mentioned.
Vakhim’s aunt, Doeuk Sam, known as for the discharge of her nephew as he had executed nothing unsuitable.
“It’s unfair as a result of he didn’t do something to hurt social order,” she mentioned.
Heng Kimsour, coverage and advocacy officer on the Partnership for Surroundings and Improvement Group, echoed Chantha’s view that the conviction was unfair.
“For my part, youths play an vital position in monitoring points that the federal government has failed to handle. The federal government ought to encourage younger individuals who dare to talk the reality about social points,” she mentioned.
Vakhim, a former monk at Wat Than pagoda in Phnom Penh, left monkhood after being ordered to cease his activism. Earlier than his arrest in January 2025, he was requested to apologize for feedback he gave Radio Free Asia about jailed youth activists coerced into making apology movies in alternate for his or her launch.
Vakhim is amongst Licadho’s 97 Prisoner of Curiosity who’re presently imprisoned due their activism and expression.
“A conviction towards him [Thou Vakhim] will have an effect on the precise to freedom of expression and discourage different youths who’re actively engaged in society. It would make them concern for his or her security and safety,” mentioned Am Sam Ath, operations director of Licadho.
He mentioned each nationwide and worldwide teams fear that civic house in Cambodia continues to shrink and face rising restrictions, significantly via the usage of the Prison Code to prosecute individuals who train their proper to freedom of expression.
