Journalist Received Death Threat in Banteay Meanchey

A former reporter for Khmer Amatak News and human rights activist for the rights group Adhoc, based in Poipet city, Banteay Menachey province, reportedly received a death threat on July 9, 10 and 11, 2010 from the president of Mong Chin [Chinese Tomb] Pagoda committee. The death threat related to the alleged digging up old tombs of villagers’ ancestors [the area where Khmer-Chinese bodies were buried there] and others.

Reported to media, Kiev Borei, aged 31, said he was intimidated by Soy Sakhorn and his family members on the phone. Repeatedly Soy Sokhorn called him and said that, “I know where you and family live. You are in my hand and you don’t have to escape. I have sent my men to investigate what you are doing and where you are going. Therefore if you want to live in peace, you have to tell me who reported to the newspaper…” On July 13, 2010 he lodged a complaint with Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court against Soy Sakhorn for attempted killing, insult and demanded for $20,000.

On June 25, 2010 at about 4:30pm Kiev Borei drove his white car [Camary] with two other journalists - Pao Horn, Khmer Sachak News Publisher and Cham Pich, a reporter for Meatophum News - to Chinvoin Simaram Pagoda, also known as Mong Chin Pagada. When they arrived there, they went to meet Mr. Soy Sakhorn, some of the pagoda committee, and monks to ask questions about the clearance around graves, and others.

After getting information, the case was reported on Khmer Amatak New on Monday, July 5, 2010, title “Mong Chin Pagoda Laymen and Partisans Misconduct, Using Buddhist Religion for Business.” On July 14, 2010 Khmer Amatak News issued another article, title “Mong Chin Layman Becomes Feudal Lord to Build Construction without Authority’s Permission”. The articles seriously criticized their action, which they denied they had been doing.

On July 07, 2010, a motor taxi driver brought the newspaper to the pagoda. This resulted in furiousness from those people in the pagoda; especially from Soy Sokhorn, who the subject of most of the criticism in the article. As a result, Soy Sokhorn phoned to ask for the source, who had provided the information to the newspaper, but he was not given this information due to the code of ethics of journalists. However, the abbot of the pagoda informed he knew Kiev Borei was the one who had provided the information to Khmer Amatak News. He revised that after the interview, Pao Horm, Khmer Sachak News Publisher, came to the pagoda and told him that the above men were journalists; however, Kiev Borei denied he had been a journalist when he asked for his profession.

Soum Chankea, Adhoc provincial coordinator, said on the phone on July 26, 2010 that actually Kiev Borei was told by a villager [who became the source to be anonymous] about the clearing. Therefore he and other two journalists went to visit the reported area to find out whether or not the activity really affected villagers. The group also met Mr. Soy Sokhorn. At that time, Soy Sokhorn explained the reason of the clearance. He said in fact, there were some tombs built infringing the pagoda’s land; and the committee only wanted to clear some land in order to make way for planting some flowers.

He added that the case became more serious when the information was published on Amatak News. Mr. Soy Sokhorn got furious with the newspaper and called Kiev Borei to ask for the source, but he denied telling the source. As a result, Soy Sokhorn very often phoned to curse and intimidate him. In addition Soy Sokhorn used different people to threaten Kiev Borei. So Kiev Borei decided to lodge a complaint with Banteay Meanchey Provincial Prosecutor against Soy Sokhorn for his security.

Mr. Long Cheab, Provincial Deputy Prosecutor, is responsible for investigating the case. He said he had issued warrants in order to summons the defendant and plaintiff for questioning soon.