Land Evictees Accused of Incitement in Kampong Chhnang

In relation to land dispute about 108 hectares in Lorpeang village, Taches commune, Kampong Tralach district of Kampong Chhnang province, between KDC International, which belongs to Mrs. Chea Keng, wife of Mr. Suy Sem, the Minister of the Ministry of Industry Mines and Energy and 64 local families, up to now many of the villagers have been arrested and accused of incitement; and some of them migrated to Thailand to escape from being captured even though in August 8, 2008 there was directive from Prime Minister Hun Sen, KDC company appropriately resolved the problem for villagers in Lorpeang and Beoung Kak village.

Mrs. Un Sophy, 32, with 2 young children, working as a teacher and a farmer, in Lorpeang was reported that her case was sent from Kampong Chhnang to Phnom Penh due to the warrant signed on August 4 to ask her to present at court on September 23 by Investigating Judge Ke Sakhorn for inciting the villagers to continually farm on the company land. Before that she was called by provincial court 2 times, the first one was on May 29 and the second was on June 22 to call her to clarify the same case.

In relation to the land dispute, so far 6 villagers have been arrested and accused of incitement. Mrs. Un Tum, Mrs. Un Sophy’s mother was arrested and put behind bar for 18 months. Three women ran away from the village because they were afraid of being detained for incitement. Mr. Un Sophy has been charged with incitement and the village chief Mrs. Toch Ly was sentenced by Phnom Penh court to 16 months in prison after being convicted for forgery of collecting signatures from families, claiming ownership on the land. She was also asked to pay 250 USD as fine and 1,250 USD for compensation to the company.