Cambodia: Opposition Activists and Tour Guide Sentenced to 7 Years for 'Conspiracy to Betray'

Phnom Penh, Cambodia – On September 23, 2025, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court announced its verdict, sentencing four individuals to seven years in prison each for "conspiracy to betray." The defendants include one tour guide and three political activists from the Candlelight Party. Presiding Judge Bun Ratana stated that the four defendants – Pin Poch, 49 (born 1977), a tour guide fluent in English, Khmer, and Thai; Rutt Sothy, 54 (born 1972); Suon Bunlao, 61 (born 1965); and Om Vong, 57 – were accused of using technology, telecommunications, and social media platforms like Facebook to spread baseless accusations against the Cambodian government. Prosecutors alleged these actions aimed to incite extremism and instigate a "color revolution" to overthrow the legitimate government, citing Nepal as a precedent. These charges fall under Article 453 of the Penal Code, which carries a potential sentence of five to ten years in prison if found guilty. Authorities arrested the individuals at various locations between late 2025 and early 2026. The prosecution contended that their posts and comments on social media constituted incitement, aiming to provoke citizens into participating in an illegal revolution against the government, contrary to democratic principles. During the trial, all four defendants denied the charges and pleaded for acquittal. Their lawyer, Am Chanthar, expressed his disagreement with the court's severe sentence, stating that his client, Rutt Sothy, was not involved in the alleged conspiracy. He announced plans to file an appeal. Chanthar further explained that his client was not connected to the Facebook posts of opposition groups residing abroad. Instead, the arrest stemmed from phone communications found on his client's device by police during the arrest, which allegedly involved discussions related to border disputes between Cambodia and Thailand. The lawyer emphasized that listening to others' messages is a private matter and a violation of the Cambodian Constitution. Source: CEN Cambodia