Villager Representative Arrested over Land in Koh Kong

In relation to a chronic land conflict for years in Chroy commune, Sre Ambil district, Koh Kong, which cannot be solved, about 50 families were traveling by pickup to protest in front of Hun Sen’s mansion in Takmao town, Kandal province; but they were intercepted by 10 military police officers. One of the villagers was captured and brought back to Koh Kong.

Mr. Keo Khorn, 30, the villager representative lives in Chroy Svay commune, Sre Ambil district, Koh Kong province. He was arrested at 5:00 pm on December 6, 2009 for destroying property while he was on the way with local villagers to seek intervention from Prime Minister Hun Sen in Takmao town. However they did not tell what kind of act he violated at all.

One of the witnesses, Mrs. Srey Roeun who were also in the trip, described the event that those officers were driving their car from behind and stopped in front of the passengers’ vehicle. After that they got down, walked up to the villagers and grabbed Keo Khorn’s hand phone as he was trying to call someone. Then they pulled the representative off the car, but the villagers were also trying to protect him from being caught. Seeing that, a military police officer took out the warrant and read out to the villagers. After finishing the letter, they escorted Mr. Keo Khorn into their car and drove off for the province.

Mrs. Roeun added that before Mr. Keo Khorn had protested against them over land of 300 hectares in Chroy Svay commune, Sre Ambil district. Most of local farm land was grabbed.

Regarding with the land dispute, they did not clearly clarify who grabbed their land. The villagers said that those who bulldozed their farm land were from the province.

In the case, it has been seen that the group of authority violated the villagers’ right to free expression about their concern; and also freedom of movement.