Activists, journalists, and opposition figures face incitement and treason charges amid rising censorship concerns.
Phnom Penh, Cambodia – November 6, 2025 — Cambodian authorities have arrested 16 individuals for posting political content on social media, sparking international condemnation from Human Rights Watch (HRW) and other civil liberties organizations. The arrests, carried out between August and October, targeted critics of the government’s handling of border tensions with Thailand, according to HRW’s latest report.
Arrests Target Online Dissent
Those detained include social media activists, opposition party members, journalists, and online influencers who publicly criticized the Cambodian government’s response to the Thai-Cambodia border conflict earlier this year. Among those arrested are:
- Phon Yuth, an activist detained at his home on October 29
- Chheng Sreyrath (aka “Love Riya”), a popular online personality charged on August 14
- Journalists Phorn Sopheap and Pheap Pheara, accused of conspiracy for posting images with Cambodian soldiers near the disputed border
Legal Charges and Penalties
Authorities have charged the detainees under Articles 494 and 495 of Cambodia’s Criminal Code, which cover incitement to commit a felony and carry penalties of up to two years in prison. At least three individuals face treason charges under Article 445, which could result in 5 to 15 years imprisonment.
HRW described the arrests as arbitrary and politically motivated, warning that Cambodia’s use of vague legal provisions to silence dissent violates international human rights standards.
Border Conflict as a Flashpoint
The crackdown follows armed skirmishes in July near the Ta Krabei temple, a contested site along the Thai-Cambodian border. Critics accused the government of mishandling the conflict and suppressing media coverage. In response, authorities intensified surveillance and began targeting online commentary deemed “destabilizing.”
“These arrests reflect a broader pattern of repression and digital censorship,” said a spokesperson for HRW. “Cambodia must stop criminalizing peaceful expression.”
International Reaction and Free Speech Concerns
Rights groups and legal experts have called on the Cambodian government to release all detainees and drop charges immediately. The arrests have reignited concerns over freedom of expression, especially as Cambodia prepares for upcoming local elections in 2026.
Legal scholars, including Ashika Pennadam of JURIST, argue that the government’s actions undermine democratic principles and violate UN conventions on civil and political rights.
In short: Cambodian authorities have arrested 16 individuals for political social media posts related to border tensions with Thailand. Rights groups say the charges are arbitrary and demand immediate release, warning that the crackdown threatens free speech and democratic integrity.
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