Five posts on social media that could “incite social unrest” have led to charges against Dara, a news reporter, according to a court spokesperson. He could spend two years behind bars.
He was recognized for his efforts last year by US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken for exposing Cambodian-based internet scam activities.
His arrest has prompted criticism from rights organizations, and the US Embassy in Cambodia expressed its “deep trouble” about the development.
On Monday, Dara was apprehended during his stop at a highway toll booth on the border between Sihanouk province and Koh Kong in southwest Cambodia.
One military police car and five other automobiles drew up alongside them as they were waiting to pass through the booth; a relative in the car with Dara told the news.
His relative recalled that one of them exclaimed, “We got him,” while they were holding Dara. Dara also reportedly urged his family not to worry because he was being taken away.
Before having his phone taken away, Dara reportedly messaged local rights group Licadho to inform them that he had been arrested.
After then, his whereabouts were unknown for nearly a full day, until he showed up in court in the nation’s capital, Phnom Penh, where he was accused of inciting others to commit a crime. He was placed in pretrial custody and might spend the next six months to two years there.
