Seven women protesting evictions from Phnom Penh’s Boeng Tamok lake have been summoned to court for incitement and obstruction based on a complaint by the district security chief.
The northern lake has been divvied up among powerful interests and is being rapidly filled with sand for development. Dozens of families living in shacks along its shore have protested as they face resettlement.
The seven court summonses, delivered by police to the protesters on Friday, said the recipients must appear at the municipal court on August 3.
The seven women were accused of “obstruction and incitement to cause chaos on a public road” by complainant Meas Sambo, one of the summonses said.
According to Prak Sophea, who is one of the protesters summoned, Sambo is head of the Prek Pnov district security guards, the unit that has clashed with residents during rallies.
The protesters have been active in recent weeks, submitting petitions to the prime minister’s cabinet, Land Ministry, Council of Ministers and National Assembly. They say they have already complained to the commune, district and city.
Other protesters who received summonses on Friday include Kong Toeu, Tan Khney, Phorn Sokhom and Khen Sa Ay.
