Preah Vihear court deputy prosecutor confirmed that  25 people out of 36 people who were arrested by authorities over a land dispute in Kulen district, have been charged with “clearing and occupying forest land”.

The detention stems from an incident when provincial authorities including gendarmes, police and forestry administration officials mounted a mass crackdown, arresting residents in Srayong Tboung village. It occurred during a clash over a long-disputed land. The authorities said it belonged to a company called Seladamex, having received an economic land concession from the state.