The first hearing in the trial of human rights defenders Mr Cheab Chiev and Ms Khoem Sarum will take place on 9 February 2010. Cheab Chiev and Khoem Sarum have been charged with providing “disinformation” and “destruction of property”. Cheab Chiev and Khoem Sarum are both members of the Cambodian Centre for Human Rights (CCHR). If they are found guilty, they could face a sentence of up to 3 years of imprisonment and/or fines of up to ten million riels (1,700 euro). Failure to pay fines imposed may result in imprisonment for a period of up to two years.

Further Information

The charges against both human rights defenders are related to an interview they gave to Radio Free Asia on 25 December 2008 about their investigation into an alleged corruption case, following a dispute between community member Ny San and local mosque Imam Rim Math concerning a plot of land. On 17 July 2006, Ny San allegedly bought a small plot of land in Kampong Youl Village, in the province of Takeo. lmam Rim Math acted as a witness to the sale. Shortly after, Rim Math claimed that the land was his and built a fence around it. Ny San subsequently destroyed the fence. He was later charged with “destruction of property,” pursuant to Article 52 of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia Criminal Code (UNTAC). It is also alleged that Imam Rim Math and two other members of the community vested with the responsibility of managing the mosque’s funds mishandled a donation of ten million riels to the mosque authorities, said to have been made by Hing Bunheng, the head of the Prime Minister's personal bodyguard unit.

The charge of “disinformation”, under Article 62 of the UNTAC code, was filed against Cheab Chiev, Khoem Sarum, two community representatives and a Radio Free Asia journalist, by Rim Math who claimed that statements made during the radio interview were false. In a follow-up interview with Radio Free Asia, after he had been charged, Cheab Chiev stated that he had told the truth and that he had the documents attesting to the veracity of his statements.

In September 2009, Cheab Chiev and Khoem Sarum were also charged with “destruction of property” pursuant to Article 52 of the UNTAC code. It is presumed that this charge is related to the act of destruction of the fence erected by Ny San around the disputed land.

On 1 October 2009, Cheab Chiev and Khoem Sarum appeared before the Takeo Municipal Court for questioning, where they invoked their right to remain silent throughout the interview, requesting time to secure the services of a lawyer. They were informed that their lawyers had to attend the Court to register as their representatives within a week.

On 21 October 2009, Cheab Chiev and Khoem Sarum returned to the Court for questioning, accompanied by lawyers.

Front Line believes that the charges against Cheab Chiev and Khoem Sarum are directly related to their work in defence of human rights, in particular their investigation into alleged corruption on the part of local mosque leaders. Front Line believes that these charges represent an attempt to hinder their work in defence of human rights.