Sam Rainsy Party Activist Pre-Detained in Banteay Meanchey

Related to a land conflict in July 2009, an activist of Sam Rainsy Party was pri-trial detained by Banteay Meanchey Provincial Court for the accusation of incitement and disinformation. Mr. Him Sokha, 40, was arrested on Sunday, August 8, 2010 when he went back to his home in Poipet commune, Poipet city, Banteay Meanchey. On July 24, 2009 there was a clash between around 30 villagers and 80 city, provincial authorities and military police over a plot of land in Kbal Spean village, Poipet commune, Poipet city of Banteay Meanchey province, while the groups of authorities were trying to evict 6 families out of their land. After the event, 36 people were subsequently captured and sent to jail. That day, even journalists and some human rights activists were also confined. However, all of them have been released on bail so far. For the above arrest, Mr. Soum Chankea, Adhoc provincial coordinator, who investigated the case, said that Mr. Him Sokha was arrested by the court clerk, named Leang An, while the judge was absent and depicted that it was an abuse of the legal procedure. According to the Code of Criminal Procedure of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Article 199, “The Investigating Judge shall be entitled to issue a detention order.” However, Mr. Him Sokha went to the event that day only to observe the court prosecution; he did not do anything as accused at all.