Mech Dara, a prominent Cambodian journalist known for his investigations into human trafficking and corruption, has been arrested on charges of incitement. The journalist faces potential imprisonment of up to two years due to five social media posts alleged to incite social unrest, according to a court spokesperson.
Dara gained recognition last year when he received an honor from the US Secretary of State for his efforts in exposing online scam operations in Cambodia. His recent arrest has drawn significant attention from human rights organizations, with calls for his immediate release from groups like Human Rights Watch.
On Monday, Dara was detained at a highway toll booth near the border of Koh Kong and Sihanouk provinces. Witnesses reported that multiple military vehicles surrounded Dara’s car before he was taken into custody. Before losing access to his phone, he managed to inform a local rights group of his arrest.
For nearly 24 hours post-arrest, Dara’s location remained unknown until he appeared in court in Phnom Penh, where he was charged with incitement and placed in pre-trial detention. If convicted, he could face a sentence ranging from six months to two years.
According to court officials, the incitement charges stem from Facebook posts made by Dara in September, which were characterized as “fake” by the authorities. These posts allegedly incited public anger against the government.
Dara’s case exemplifies the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Cambodia, where vague incitement charges are often used to stifle criticism. A relative of Dara expressed deep concern for his safety, noting that he had been denied access to legal representation and raising fears about the implications for press freedom in the country.
Dara’s investigative work has shed light on the distressing realities of Cambodia’s cyberscam industry, where trafficking victims are coerced into performing fraudulent online activities. The situation continues to draw attention from human rights advocates and the US State Department, which is closely monitoring developments surrounding Dara’s case.
In recent months, the Cambodian government faced international scrutiny after the US imposed sanctions on notable figures linked to the cyber scam industry, dismissing such actions as politically motivated. With Jasmine’s arrest, the landscape of independent journalism in Cambodia remains increasingly precarious, as authorities exert greater control over media and expression.
