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Buddhist monks detained over social media posts in Cambodia

They were forced to delete video of police intimidating opposition supporters from their phones
Buddhist monks detained over social media posts in Cambodia

A file image of a Cambodian Buddhist monk taking a picture with his mobile phone during a demonstration at the Democracy Park in Phnom Penh in 2013. Four Buddhist monks were temporarily detained by police during an opposition party rally in Cambodia's northwest on May26. (Photo by Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP)

Published: May 29, 2017 07:41 AM GMT
Updated: May 29, 2017 07:42 AM GMT

Four activist Buddhist monks were briefly detained over their social media use at an opposition rally in north-western Cambodia, May 26.

The four monks were arrested during a campaign event led by Cambodia National Rescue Party president Kem Sokha in Samroang commune, reported RFA.

Luon Savath, known as the "multimedia monk," said police forced them to erase content from their cell phones because their social media posts showed videos of opposition supporters being intimidated by police.

The monks were held and questioned for several hours and were only released after agreeing to delete their videos and promising not to use social media to cover the event.

RFA said that this incident was one of several examples where the authorities harassed people attending the opposition rally held for upcoming local elections.

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