UCA News
Contribute

Cambodia jails woman over Hun Sen murder accusation

Hin Van Sreypov handed one-year term for accusing PM of involvement in killing of government critic
Cambodia jails woman over Hun Sen murder accusation

A Cambodian woman looks at a portrait of prominent Cambodian critic Kem Ley during the first anniversary of his murder at his mother's home in Takeo province on July 9, 2017. (Photo by Tang Chhin Sothy/AFP)

 

Published: January 12, 2018 10:28 AM GMT
Updated: January 12, 2018 10:28 AM GMT

A Cambodian court has sentenced a woman to a one-year jail term for posting a video clip on her Facebook page accusing Prime Minister Hun Sen of ordering the murder of government critic Kem Ley more than a year ago.

Hin Van Sreypov, aged 37 and a former member of the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, was also fined one million riel (US$249) by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on a charge of “incitement to commit a felony,” local media reported.

Authorities gave no explanation as to what the felony was, the Phnom Penh Post newspaper reported on Jan. 11.

Well-known political commentator Kem Ley was shot dead in Phnom Penh on July 10, 2016.

Hin Van Sreyov, also known as Heng Leakhena, was arrested on July 12, 2017, at a bus station after posting the accusation of Hun Sen’s involvement in the murder on her Facebook page on July 9.

She had just attended a memorial ceremony marking the first anniversary of Kem Ley’s death.

Though a former soldier was sentenced to life for the murder in March 2017, government complicity in the critic’s death is widely suspected.

Cambodia’s courts are often accused of lacking independence by rights groups, who say the government seeks to limit freedom of expression by using the judiciary to clamp down on criticism of Hun Sen.

 

Help UCA News to be independent
Dear reader,
Lent is the season during which catechumens make their final preparations to be welcomed into the Church.
Each year during Lent, UCA News presents the stories of people who will join the Church in proclaiming that Jesus Christ is their Lord. The stories of how women and men who will be baptized came to believe in Christ are inspirations for all of us as we prepare to celebrate the Church's chief feast.
Help us with your donations to bring such stories of faith that make a difference in the Church and society.
A small contribution of US$5 will support us continue our mission…
William J. Grimm
Publisher
UCA News
Asian Bishops
Latest News
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia
UCA News Catholic Dioceses in Asia