Cambodian investigative journalist charged with incitement
A Cambodian court on Tuesday charged an investigative reporter known for exposing corruption and human trafficking, and whose arrest drew concern from rights groups and the US government, with “inciting social unrest,” meaning he may face two years in prison. The Phnom Penh Municipal Court said Mech Dara, who has worked for local and international media, had posted “provocative” and “false” messages and pictures about a rock quarry on a sacred mountain. He was sent to pretrial detention in Kandal province.
“Dara must be freed so he can continue his work to shed light on issues like human trafficking, forced labour and corruption,” said the co-director of one of the signatories, Licadho’s Naly Pilorge. Dara was given a hero award last year by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, recognizing his work exposing the existence of massive scam compounds staffed mostly by trafficked workers in Cambodia.
