Cambodian Youth Sentenced to 4 Years for Facebook Posts Damaging Military Morale

In Cambodia's capital, Phnom Penh, a 19-year-old youth has been sentenced to four years in prison for posts made on social media that allegedly damaged military morale and incited criminal acts. On July 15, 2026, the presiding judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court announced the verdict, sentencing the defendant to four years in prison and a fine of four million riels (approximately $1,000). The defendant is accused of posting on Facebook in 2025 content that allegedly harmed military morale and incited criminal acts, which were disseminated through social media. According to the court's order, the defendant, identified as Chheung Sovann, is 19 years old and was a tuk-tuk driver and social media user in Preah Sihanouk province prior to his arrest. The prosecutor charged the defendant with the offenses of damaging military morale and inciting severe social disorder, as stipulated by Articles 472, 494, and 495 of the Penal Code. Chheung Sovann was arrested by police on December 30, 2025, based on a court summons, while he was driving a tuk- ইলেক্ট্রো tricycle near the Independence Monument in Sihanoukville city, Preah Sihanouk province. Following his detention, specialized police officers transferred him to the Phnom Penh Municipal Police Headquarters to proceed with legal procedures. Source: CEN Cambodia