Cambodia's Ministry of Justice Investigates Alleged Wrongful Imprisonment by Stung Treng Court

The Ministry of Justice of Cambodia has initiated an internal investigation into allegations that the Stung Treng Provincial Court wrongfully imprisoned an innocent individual for approximately one year before their release. Em Chanmakara, spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice, stated that the ministry is currently conducting an internal inquiry to ascertain the facts of the case. He encouraged citizens to exercise their right to protest through legal channels or to submit requests for intervention to the ministry to seek the truth. In recent days, social media has been abuzz with accusations against the Stung Treng Provincial Court, claiming it mistakenly arrested and imprisoned individuals. The alleged victims have reportedly filed multiple complaints with the Supreme Council of Magistracy and the Ministry of Justice. Em Chanmakara confirmed that the ministry is aware of the situation and is taking internal measures in accordance with procedures and authority to ensure true justice. "All cases must undergo thorough investigation through the mechanisms of competent authorities to examine the correctness or irregularities in the implementation of procedures by judges and prosecutors," he stated. At the center of the allegations is Sley Furt, a Cambodian Muslim man, who has filed complaints with national high-ranking institutions seeking an examination of irregularities in the execution of an arrest warrant and detention order issued on October 6, 2025, by Judge Huy Sereyvathana Piseth of the Stung Treng Provincial Court. Sley Furt, 55, claims that the court accused and ordered the arrest of a person named Sley Wort, 47, but authorities instead arrested him and sent him to the Stung Treng Provincial Prison. However, in a press release dated September 1, 2026, the Stung Treng Provincial Court asserted that the accusations of mistaken arrest are untrue. The court clarified that Sley Wort's case involved illegal deforestation and land encroachment in February 2024. Following trial and examination of evidence, the court decided to acquit the accused on August 27, stating it was not a case of mistaken identity arrest. Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local