The Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued seven-year prison sentences to three activists on Wednesday, finding them guilty of plotting against the government. The individuals—Thy Thorn, vice president of the Khmer Student Intelligent League Association (KSILA), along with Mean Chanthon and Soueng Kunthea—had been held in pretrial detention for over two years prior to the ruling.

The convictions stem from a broader crackdown that began in 2024, during which authorities arrested over 100 people in connection with planned demonstrations against the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area (CLV-DTA) agreement. While the government has since withdrawn from the regional pact, dozens of those detained have faced legal proceedings. Chanthon and Kunthea were among those charged under Article 453 of the Criminal Code after being deported from Thailand in November 2024.

Defense attorney Son Chum Choun stated that he could not accept the verdict, arguing that his clients were merely engaging in constructive criticism on social media rather than committing treason. He indicated that he is currently reviewing the possibility of an appeal with his clients.

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The sentencing has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, including Licadho. Am Sam Ath, the group's operations director, stated that the ruling reflects a broader restriction on fundamental freedoms. He emphasized that the activists' actions should be viewed as protected expression rather than criminal activity, noting that KSILA is a legally registered organization.

Family members of the convicted also voiced opposition to the court's decision. Mean Davin, the brother of Mean Chanthon, described the outcome as unjust, asserting that his brother was motivated by a desire to protect land and express public concerns.

Source: CamboJA News