The Cambodian government and law enforcement agencies continue to detain, arrest and imprison politicians, environmental defenders, land activists, trade unionists and journalists on unfounded charges that characterizes their activism as crimes.

The Cambodia’s Prisoners of Interest page will track these arrests and court convictions and provide an insight into who these people are, they work they do and for how long they have been unfairly incarcerated.

LICADHO joins other human rights groups and civil society organisations to call for their immediate release and for the government to drop all outstanding charges against them and for them to return to their activism for a better Cambodia. (ភាសាខ្មែរ)

39 prisoners of interest displayed

Phon Yuth, 37
Political activist

Detained for 10 days
(since Mar. 19, 2024)

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Mer Seng Hor, 59
National power provincial party deputy leader

Detained for 14 days
(since Mar. 15, 2024)

Read more...

Chea Chan, 40
CATU union leader

Detained for 44 days
(since Feb. 14, 2024)

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Sar Sokha, 63
Candlelight district party leader

Detained for 55 days
(since Feb. 3, 2024)

Hak Kosal, 42
Khmer Will Party activist

Detained for 58 days
(since Jan. 31, 2024)

Read more...

Ma Chinda, 54
Candlelight youth movement district leader

Detained for 58 days
(since Jan. 31, 2024)

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Chhay Chinda, 64
Candlelight district party leader

Detained for 74 days
(since Jan. 15, 2024)

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Khem Chanvannak, 46
Candlelight capital party leader (acting)

Detained for 74 days
(since Jan. 15, 2024)

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Ny Nak, 44
Social commentator

Detained for 84 days
(since Jan. 5, 2024)

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Kong Saron, 44

Sentenced to
3 years in prison

Detained for 125 days
(since Nov. 25, 2023)

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Nheav Syim, 45
Candlelight women movement member

Detained for 147 days
(since Nov. 3, 2023)

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Chao Veasna, 58
Former Candlelight commune councillor

Detained for 250 days
(since Jul. 23, 2023)

Eng Sroy, 49
Candlelight capital party leader

Detained for 256 days
(since Jul. 17, 2023)

Khoeun Virath, 33
Candlelight commune councillor

Sentenced to
2 years in prison

Detained for 371 days
(since Mar. 24, 2023)

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Nou Sitheary, 63
Candlelight commune councillor

Sentenced to
2 years in prison

Detained for 371 days
(since Mar. 24, 2023)

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Touch Theung, 74
Candlelight provincial party leader

Sentenced to
2 years in prison

Detained for 371 days
(since Mar. 24, 2023)

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So Sina, 51
Social media user

Detained for 385 days
(since Mar. 10, 2023)

Kem Sokha, 69
Former Cambodia National Rescue Party president

Sentenced to
27 years in prison

Detained under house arrest for 392 days
(since Mar. 3, 2023)

Read more...

Thach Setha, 70
Candlelight vice-president

Sentenced to
3 years in prison

Detained for 438 days
(since Jan. 16, 2023)

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Ben Bunthin, 48
Candlelight commune councillor

Detained for 448 days
(since Jan. 6, 2023)

Read more...

Bin Nein, 52
Land activist

Sentenced to
18 months in prison

Detained for 475 days
(since Dec. 10, 2022)

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Hin Lyda, 23
Land activist

Sentenced to
18 months in prison

Detained for 475 days
(since Dec. 10, 2022)

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Phlorn Sai, 23
Land activist

Sentenced to
2 years in prison

Detained for 475 days
(since Dec. 10, 2022)

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Phlorn Sokha, 32
Land activist

Sentenced to
2 years in prison

Detained for 475 days
(since Dec. 10, 2022)

Read more...

Sith Sean, 43
Land activist

Sentenced to
2 years in prison

Detained for 475 days
(since Dec. 10, 2022)

Read more...

Chhim Sithar, 34
LRSU union leader

Sentenced to
2 years in prison

Detained for 489 days
(since Nov. 26, 2022)

Read more...

Kim Tola, 36
Political activist

Sentenced to
18 months in prison

Detained for 516 days
(since Oct. 30, 2022)

Read more...

Hei Ny, 41
Land activist

Sentenced to
18 months in prison

Detained for 567 days
(since Sep. 9, 2022)

Read more...

Neth Horn, 31
Land activist

Sentenced to
18 months in prison

Detained for 567 days
(since Sep. 9, 2022)

Read more...

Phay Norn, 59
Land activist

Sentenced to
2 years in prison

Detained for 589 days
(since Aug. 18, 2022)

Read more...

Seng Theary, 51
Political activist

Sentenced to
6 years in prison

Detained for 654 days
(since Jun. 14, 2022)

Read more...

Seam Pluk, 52
Cambodia National Heart Party Founder

Sentenced to
2 years 6 months in prison

Detained for 702 days
(since Apr. 27, 2022)

Read more...

Mech Heang, 33
Political activist

Sentenced to
3 years in prison

Detained for 861 days
(since Nov. 19, 2021)

Read more...

Voeung Samnang, 47
Political activist

Sentenced to
5 years in prison

Detained for 872 days
(since Nov. 8, 2021)

Read more...

Khan Bun Pheng, 62
Former CNRP commune chief

Sentenced to
5 years in prison

Detained for 1184 days
(since Dec. 31, 2020)

Thouk Theuy, 50
Former CNRP deputy district party leader

Sentenced to
5 years in prison

Detained for 1187 days
(since Dec. 28, 2020)

Heng Chan Sothy, 57
Former deputy CNRP district party leader

Sentenced to
6 years in prison

Detained for 1393 days
(since Jun. 5, 2020)

Read more...

Kak Komphear, 54
Former CNRP capital councillor

Sentenced to
6 years in prison

Detained for 1398 days
(since May 31, 2020)

Read more...

Ismael Pin Osman, 44
Former CNRP provincial party member

Sentenced to
15 years in prison

Detained for 2607 days
(since Feb. 7, 2017)

Read more...

LICADHO
Maintained by LICADHO

Phon Yuth, 37

Political activist
Detained for 10 days, since March 19, 2024
Faces 12 months - 3 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)

Mer Seng Hor, 59

National power provincial party deputy leader
Detained for 14 days, since March 15, 2024
Faces 12 months - 3 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)
- Insult (Criminal Code Article 502)

Chea Chan, 40

CATU union leader
Detained for 44 days, since February 14, 2024
Faces 3 - 10 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Theft, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Article 353, 357)

Sar Sokha, 63

Candlelight district party leader
Detained for 55 days, since February 3, 2024
Faces 2 - 5 years imprisonment

Charge(s)

- Intentional acts of violence, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Article 217, 218)

Hak Kosal, 42

Khmer Will Party activist
Detained for 58 days, since January 31, 2024
Faces 12 months - 3 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Forgery (Criminal Code Article 626, 627)
- Use of forged document (Criminal Code Article 628)

Ma Chinda, 54

Candlelight youth movement district leader
Detained for 58 days, since January 31, 2024
Faces 12 months - 3 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Forgery (Criminal Code Article 626, 627)
- Use of forged document (Criminal Code Article 628)

Chhay Chinda, 64

Candlelight district party leader
Detained for 74 days, since January 15, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Forgery (Criminal Code Article 626, 627)
- Forgery of public document (Criminal Code Article 629)

Khem Chanvannak, 46

Candlelight capital party leader (acting)
Detained for 74 days, since January 15, 2024
Faces 12 months - 3 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Forgery (Criminal Code Article 626, 627)
- Use of forged document (Criminal Code Article 628)

Ny Nak, 44

Social commentator
Detained for 84 days, since January 5, 2024
Faces 12 months - 3 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Defamation (Criminal Code Article 305)
- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)

Kong Saron, 44


Detained for 125 days, since November 25, 2023
Sentenced to 3 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Insult against the King (Criminal Code Article 437(bis))

Nheav Syim, 45

Candlelight women movement member
Detained for 147 days, since November 3, 2023
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)

Chao Veasna, 58

Former Candlelight commune councillor
Detained for 250 days, since July 23, 2023
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)

Eng Sroy, 49

Candlelight capital party leader
Detained for 256 days, since July 17, 2023
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)

Khoeun Virath, 33

Candlelight commune councillor
Detained for 371 days, since March 24, 2023
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Forgery (Criminal Code Article 626, 627)
- Use of forged document (Criminal Code Article 628)

Nou Sitheary, 63

Candlelight commune councillor
Detained for 371 days, since March 24, 2023
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Forgery (Criminal Code Article 626, 627)
- Use of forged document (Criminal Code Article 628)

Touch Theung, 74

Candlelight provincial party leader
Detained for 371 days, since March 24, 2023
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Forgery (Criminal Code Article 626, 627)
- Use of forged document (Criminal Code Article 628)

So Sina, 51

Social media user
Detained for 385 days, since March 10, 2023
Faces 12 months - 3 years imprisonment

Charge(s)

- Defamation (Criminal Code Article 305)
- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)

Kem Sokha, 69

Former Cambodia National Rescue Party president
Detained under house arrest for 392 days, since March 3, 2023
Sentenced to 27 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Conspiracy with foreign power (Criminal Code Article 443)

Thach Setha, 70

Candlelight vice-president
Detained for 438 days, since January 16, 2023
Sentenced to 3 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)
- Law on Negotiable Instruments and Payment Transactions Article 231

Ben Bunthin, 48

Candlelight commune councillor
Detained for 448 days, since January 6, 2023
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Law on Forestry Article 97

Bin Nein, 52

Land activist
Detained for 475 days, since December 10, 2022
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Infringement against private ownership (Land Law Article 253)
- Intentional acts of violence, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Article 217, 218)

Hin Lyda, 23

Land activist
Detained for 475 days, since December 10, 2022
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Infringement against private ownership (Land Law Article 253)
- Intentional acts of violence, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Article 217, 218)

Phlorn Sai, 23

Land activist
Detained for 475 days, since December 10, 2022
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Infringement against private ownership (Land Law Article 253)
- Intentional acts of violence, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Article 217, 218)

Phlorn Sokha, 32

Land activist
Detained for 475 days, since December 10, 2022
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Infringement against private ownership (Land Law Article 253)
- Intentional acts of violence, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Article 217, 218)

Sith Sean, 43

Land activist
Detained for 475 days, since December 10, 2022
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Infringement against private ownership (Land Law Article 253)
- Intentional acts of violence, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Article 217, 218)

Chhim Sithar, 34

LRSU union leader
Detained for 489 days, since November 26, 2022
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)

Kim Tola, 36

Political activist
Detained for 516 days, since October 30, 2022
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)

Hei Ny, 41

Land activist
Detained for 567 days, since September 9, 2022
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Infringement against private ownership (Land Law Article 253)

Neth Horn, 31

Land activist
Detained for 567 days, since September 9, 2022
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Infringement against private ownership (Land Law Article 253)

Phay Norn, 59

Land activist
Detained for 589 days, since August 18, 2022
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Infringement against private ownership (Land Law Article 253)
- Intentionally causing damage, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Articles 410, 411)

Seng Theary, 51

Political activist
Detained for 654 days, since June 14, 2022
Sentenced to 6 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)

Seam Pluk, 52

Cambodia National Heart Party Founder
Detained for 702 days, since April 27, 2022
Sentenced to 2 years 6 months in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Forgery (Criminal Code Article 626, 627)
- Use of forged document (Criminal Code Article 628)

Mech Heang, 33

Political activist
Detained for 861 days, since November 19, 2021
Sentenced to 3 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Insult against the King (Criminal Code Article 437(bis))

Voeung Samnang, 47

Political activist
Detained for 872 days, since November 8, 2021
Sentenced to 5 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)

Khan Bun Pheng, 62

Former CNRP commune chief
Detained for 1184 days, since December 31, 2020
Sentenced to 5 years in prison

Charge(s)

- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)

Thouk Theuy, 50

Former CNRP deputy district party leader
Detained for 1187 days, since December 28, 2020
Sentenced to 5 years in prison

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)

Heng Chan Sothy, 57

Former deputy CNRP district party leader
Detained for 1393 days, since June 5, 2020
Sentenced to 6 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)

Kak Komphear, 54

Former CNRP capital councillor
Detained for 1398 days, since May 31, 2020
Sentenced to 6 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)

Ismael Pin Osman, 44

Former CNRP provincial party member
Detained for 2607 days, since February 7, 2017
Sentenced to 15 years in prison
More information on this case here

Charge(s)

- Unlawful removal for cross-border transfer (Law on Suppression of Human Trafficking and Sexual Exploitation Article 11)