Cambodia's Court of Appeal upheld 14-year prison sentences for two journalists charged with treason after posting photos near Preah Vihear Temple, a disputed border area with Thailand. Human rights groups say this constitutes a severe threat to media freedom amid ongoing border tensions.
Human rights group LICADHO reported that today (26 Mar) the Court of Appeal in Preah Sihanouk Province confirmed lower court sentences, sentencing Mr. Pheap Para and Mr. Porn Sopheap, journalists for local news outlet TSP 68 TV Online, to 14 years in prison for treason and undermining national defense.
Back in July last year, the two traveled to cover border conflict in Oddar Meanchey Province and took photos with Cambodian military personnel near Preah Vihear Temple.
After the journalists posted photos on Facebook showing them standing with Cambodian soldiers near "Preah Vihear Temple," located in the overlapping border area between Thailand and Cambodia, Thai media later presented these images alleging they were evidence of landmine placement in that area following the ceasefire announcement, sparking heavy criticism.
Reports state they were subsequently arrested and charged with "providing information harmful to national security to foreign states," a treason offense punishable by 7-15 years imprisonment. The Court of Appeal upheld the original verdict despite the defendants' appeal.
Over the past year, the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia escalated into several clashes, causing deaths and forcing millions to evacuate. Thailand accused Cambodia of secretly planting new landmines in the disputed zone, injuring Thai soldiers; Cambodia has consistently denied these allegations.
Mr. Om Samat, LICADHO's Operations Director, told AFP, "This case directly affects the media sector, especially media freedom, causing journalists to fear for their safety due to such harsh sentences."
Currently, Cambodia ranks 161st out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF). Although Thailand and Cambodia signed a ceasefire at the end of 2022, border tensions and reciprocal accusations continue intermittently.
/sourceAFP