"Ratanakiri Court Sentences Theng Savoeun, Two Others To Five Years Jail But Suspends It", 16 January 2024

Ratanakiri Provincial Court has sentenced Theng Savoeun, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC), and two associates, Nhel Pheap and Thann Hach, to five years jail for “plotting and incitement”. However, the sentences have been suspended, according to court spokesperson Keo Pheakdey.

Pheakdey, also a deputy prosecutor at the court, said apart from the suspension of the sentence, there was no imposition of fines, adding that the court would give detailed verdicts for each individual later.

“I can tell you that they [Theng Savoeun and his colleagues] were sentenced by the court to five years jail, but their sentences were suspended with no fine for the crime,” he said.

In a quick response, Savoeun said the judgment was “unfair to him”, stating that he would file an appeal against the decision.

“As one of the victims, I will file an appeal with the Tbong Khmum Appeal Court against the verdict of the Ratanakiri Provincial Court,” he said. “The sentence is unfair to all of us because we have no purpose or intention to plot and incite, or cause serious social chaos. We work professionally and abide by the laws of the country.”…

Am Sam Ath, LICADHO operations director, who provided lawyers for the defendants, described the decision as a pressure on civil society organizations, adding that while the jail term has been suspended, Savoeun still remained under the court’s pressure.

Expressing frustration over the decision, Sam Ath felt that the government “should stop using the judiciary to place pressure on civil societies, which undermined their right to freedom of expression”…