Phnom Penh police say detention of guide in Siem Reap followed the law

A tour guide, ពិន ប៉ូច, was detained in Siem Reap city, Siem Reap Province, on October 14 by officers from the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap provincial police under an order issued by an investigating judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court to bring him in. The case concerned alleged conspiracy carried out through technology, telecommunications and Facebook. A Phnom Penh police spokesperson said the detention followed legal procedure and was based on clear facts, law and evidence of conduct prohibited by the Criminal Code, with no connection to politics. The spokesperson said enforcing the law against those who commit offences strengthens the rule of law and democracy and requires everyone to obey the law in force. The suspect was brought to Phnom Penh police headquarters for questioning and further procedures. According to the police account, the confession and evidence collected showed that the suspect had used social media to circulate content and comments accusing Cambodia’s government without a clear factual basis, to cultivate malicious extremist ideas and draw in people who believed without critical consideration. Police said this involved inciting them to join a “colour revolution” to overthrow the lawful government, following the example of Nepal, and described it as unlawful conduct inconsistent with democratic principles. Investigating officers have now prepared the case for referral to court. Phnom Penh police therefore rejected statements posted on social media by a small number of civil society organisations that the action against the suspect violated freedom of expression and constituted political intimidation. Police described those accusations as false information not properly grounded in facts and law. Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television — By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត