Cambodia: Farmer Detained for Natural Resource Crimes in Preah Vihear Province

A farmer has been detained in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province on suspicion of involvement in natural resource crimes. On July 28, 2026, an investigating judge at the Preah Vihear Provincial Court decided to detain one suspect accused of committing natural resource crimes within the province. According to the court's order, the suspect has been charged by the Preah Vihear Provincial Prosecutor's Office with transporting, collecting, and accumulating natural resources without permission, and with cutting down, felling, destroying, polluting, damaging, digging up, clearing, or destroying forest and wild plants classified as Class 2 and Class 4, located in O'Dar in Ang'ong village, Roneasea commune, Sangkom Thom district, Preah Vihear province, on July 27, 2026. These offenses are criminal acts punishable under Articles 850 (e) and 851 (b) of the Law on Environment and Natural Resources. This case highlights the importance of natural resource protection and law enforcement in Cambodia. Preah Vihear province, in particular, possesses rich forest resources and biodiversity, and criminal activities such as illegal logging and poaching can lead to severe environmental impacts and economic losses for the region. The government is urged to strengthen surveillance of these crimes and continue crackdowns by law enforcement agencies.