An opposition activist’s teenage son was sentenced to four and a half months in jail on Monday morning for incitement over digital messages insulting officials, according to his mother.
In a closed hearing, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court issued an eight-month sentence against the teenager for incitement, suspended to four months and 15 days, the mother, Prum Chantha, said. He should be released this month.
The court also decided that the teenager would be placed on probation for two years following his release, Chantha said, similar to activists sentenced last week who also face imminent release.
Chantha’s son was arrested on June 24, when officers stormed their house over digital messages the teenagers had sent. She has said that the teenager, who has autism, has been troubled since the arrest of his father, Kak Komphear, an opposition activist jailed last year as part of “mass trials” against the outlawed CNRP.
The teenager was also charged with insulting officials, and police have said they had his Telegram messages showing both incitement and insult.
Chantha has been active in protesting for her husband’s release, and has accused the state’s actions against her son as a way to silence her. The teenager was also attacked in public in April, an assault Chantha believes was political.
Defense lawyer Sam Sokong could not be reached for comment.
