Cambodia Upholds 18-Month Sentences for 2 Political Activists Over Border Dispute Social Media Posts

The Phnom Penh Court of Appeal on the morning of July 21, 2026, announced its verdict, upholding the prison sentences for two male political activists. Each was sentenced to 18 months in prison for the crime of incitement to commit a crime, specifically related to writings on Facebook that aimed to provoke discrimination and opposition against national leaders concerning the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute. Presiding Judge In Vann Vibol of the Phnom Penh Court of Appeal stated that the two defendants are identified as: 1) Phoung Bros, 53 years old, a former commune/sangkat council candidate for the Candlelight Party; and 2) Chan Panya, 47 years old, a former supporter of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). Both defendants were previously convicted by the Phnom Penh Municipal Court on November 24, 2025, receiving a sentence of 1 year and 6 months imprisonment each, along with a fine of 2 million riels (approximately $500 USD) each, for the crime of incitement to commit a crime under Articles 494 and 495 of the Penal Code. Among the two defendants, Phoung Bros was arrested and detained on January 26, 2026, while Chan Panya was arrested and detained on February 2, 2026, after they posted severe messages attacking national leaders with the intention of inciting discrimination, committing crimes, and opposing national leaders. This ruling underscores the Cambodian judiciary's stance on incitement charges, particularly when linked to sensitive national issues and expressed through social media platforms.