Some 1,333 families in Koh Kong are being offered 1 to 3.5 hectares each over a decade-old land dispute with the Union Development Group, as some families say they reject the deal and will fight to stay on their old land.
An audio recording, shared with VOD, appears to show Defense Minister Tea Banh instructing Koh Kong officials to take action against journalist Youn Chhiv. Several government-aligned media outlets have reported on Banh’s instructions, including some that quoted from the recording.
Chbar Ampov residents are complaining about real estate developer Borey Peng Huoth filling in their farmland, an area they say was previously in dispute with the late Suy Sophan’s Phanimex company.
After more than 200 protesters blocked National Road 5 between Pursat and Kampong Chhnang provinces on Sunday, provincial authorities said they would go to the Interior Ministry to try to resolve the land dispute.
En Soth and Yous Sophorn were jailed last month under Covid-19 charges of obstructing the enforcement of health measures and face up to three years in jail. They were both previously fined around $1,000 each under Covid-19 regulations for organizing a protest against the proposed compensation.
Four land activists in a long-running dispute with the Energy Minister’s wife say they were questioned by prosecutors at the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Court for attempted murder after trying to prevent illegal fishing in the area.
Nine Kandal villagers arrested at a protest on Sunday have been charged with intentional violence, obstructing public officials and incitement under aggravating circumstances.
Villagers said 21 of 30 people arrested at a protest against the new Phnom Penh airport in Kandal were released Tuesday evening, with nine others charged with violence.
A citizen journalist was detained on Monday and later released after filming a police station and preparing to interview family members of 30 Kandal villagers arrested in a land dispute over Phnom Penh’s new international airport.
In a statement issued Sunday, Kandal provincial administration said that around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday airport protesters brandished sticks, threw stones, used rubber slingshots, hurled gasoline, insulted officers and burned tires.
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