Cambodia Expats Online: Forum | News | Information | Blog

Send in the goons then arrest the protesters - classic. I don't know why they are bothering to change the laws on gathering and protesting. Seems like they already have a plan that works.

Seventeen human rights monitors, journalists and protesters were arrested in Koh Kong province yesterday morning when police and alleged “instigators” cracked down on a peaceful demonstration calling for the release of three imprisoned environmental activists.

...Yesterday’s action was the latest in a string of demonstrations to have taken place outside of the court since the three activists – who are affiliated with environmental NGO Mother Nature – were arrested two weeks ago.

Kongchit said things proceeded calmly until a second group of “protesters” arrived demanding that the activists return home, and attempting to forcefully break up the gathering.

“In fact, that group was supported by the authorities to disperse the protesters,” he said...
But while police sought to play down the arrests, rights groups yesterday rallied together to condemn them.

In a joint statement, NGOs Adhoc, Licadho and CLEC said they were “outraged” by the group’s detention, which they said was a clear reaction to weeks of peaceful protests by Mother Nature supporters.

“Detaining observers, media and a medic as well as protesters is yet another scare tactic now used by the government to intimidate and suppress peaceful dissent of grassroots groups,” said Licadho director Naly Pilorge...

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/national/k ... -crackdown

If we don't want to be sent to the jail, just don't express our idea to agianst gov'. But here is about environment.

prahkeitouj wrote:If we don't want to be sent to the jail, just don't express our idea against the gov stealing money'. But here is about environment (stealing money).

FTFY Don't ever forget it's about money. The government only wants to stay in power so it can steal more of it.

In this life,
One thing counts,
In the bank,
Large amounts,
I'm afraid these,
Don't grow on trees (um, well...)
You gotta pick a pocket or two.

(from the King and I)

juansweetpotato wrote:

prahkeitouj wrote:If we don't want to be sent to the jail, just don't express our idea against the gov stealing money'. But here is about environment (stealing money).

FTFY Don't ever forget it's about money. The government only wants to stay in power so it can steal more of it.

In this life,
One thing counts,
In the bank,
Large amounts,
I'm afraid these,
Don't grow on trees (um, well...)
You gotta pick a pocket or two.

(from the King and I)

That songs from "Oliver Twist" lol

seeing as were on the theme of money in musicals...


money robbing banks!

Jamie_Lambo wrote:

juansweetpotato wrote:

prahkeitouj wrote:If we don't want to be sent to the jail, just don't express our idea against the gov stealing money'. But here is about environment (stealing money).

FTFY Don't ever forget it's about money. The government only wants to stay in power so it can steal more of it.

In this life,
One thing counts,
In the bank,
Large amounts,
I'm afraid these,
Don't grow on trees (um, well...)
You gotta pick a pocket or two.

(from the King and I)

That songs from "Oliver Twist" lol

"When I see someone rich both my thumbs start to itch"

US Embassy says it is "deeply concerned" about these arrests and that peaceful protest is part of democracy...
http://www.phnompenhpost.com/post-weeke ... ed-arrests

Rights groups yesterday said they wanted to meet the prosecutor to explain the role of human rights monitors and the legality of peaceful protests.

And good luck to them.

The trial of the Mother Nature activists from the OP started yesterday. They have been locked up since their arrest. From this article, it is not totally clear if the Vietnamese dredging company was acting legally, illegally, or whether it was illegal but the local authorities gave the go ahead on a local level.
Mother Nature Activists in Court

The trial started yesterday of three environmental activists who have been in detention for the past 10 months after protesting against what they believed to be an illegal sand dredging operation conducted by a Vietnamese company in Koh Kong.

Mother Nature activists Try Sovikea, Sun Mala and Sem Samnang were arrested in August last year and charged with threatening to destroy private property under article 424 of the penal code while protesting against the Direct Access company’s ongoing sand dredging operations in the province.

During their appearance yesterday, dozens of supporters gathered outside the Koh Kong Provincial Court, demanding the release of the activists.

After a full day in court, Judge Min Makara said the trial would continue today.

During the trial, Mr. Sanmang’s wife, Tha Sopheak, urged the court to drop the charges against the activists.

“They were just coordinating and taught protesters to avoid violence. They were just protecting the environment and the community,” Ms. Sopheak said.

Mr. Sovikea’s father, Lach Try, made a similar appeal, citing the 10 months – more than the legal time limit for pre-trial detention – his son and his compatriots had already spent in detention as reason enough for them to be released on bail...
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/26578/ ... -in-court/

After 10 months in prison, the trial of the Mother Nature activists has concluded after 2 days. The verdict will be given on Friday.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/26634/ ... rial-over/

Mother Nature Activists Released

The Koh Kong Provincial Court decided to suspend a year and a half sentence handed down to three activists from environmental NGO Mother Nature who have been in prison since last August – longer than the legal limit for pre-trial detention. The three men will have to jointly pay $25,000 to a Vietnamese-owned sand dredging company and $500 each to the state.

Presiding Judge Min Makara convicted Try Sovikea, San Mala and Sim Samnang of instigation and threatening to cause destruction, defacement, or damage under article 424 and 28 of the Penal Code.

But with 10 months and 15 days already served, the men will be released tonight after the court suspended the last half of their sentence.
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/26759/ ... -released/