Phav Nheung's son, Hang Veasna, tearfully calls for his mother's release from prison outside the Preah Sihanouk Appeal Court alongside other community members from Koh Kong province on 29 August 2023.

Nine Koh Kong land activists were granted bail earlier today by the Preah Sihanouk Appeal Court, yet they will remain subject to judicial supervision conditions. The activists have already spent two months in pre-trial detention in Koh Kong provincial prison, following their arrest on 29 June 2023.

The nine activists appeared at the bail hearing this morning where they were supported by 178 community members and representatives from 197 Land Community, 175 Land Community, and 955 Land Community in Koh Kong province. Authorities suggested that supporters wait inside the court building, but they instead chose to remain outside to publicly call for their representatives’ release.

The nine activists are Ms. Phav Nheung, Ms. Det Huor, Ms. Yi Kunthea, Mr. Sok Chey, Mr. Heng Chey, Ms. Tin Tang, Mr. Lang Cheav, Ms. Seng Lin, and Mr. Yoeut Khmao. They were each charged with incitement following their attempt to peacefully travel to Phnom Penh to submit a petition to the Ministry of Justice.

Two of the activists, Phav Nheung and Seng Lin, will remain in prison on account of having been sentenced to one year’s imprisonment in a separate case in which they were convicted of defamation and incitement to disturb social security for their activism.

The remaining seven activists are expected to be released from Koh Kong prison when prison authorities receive the order from the court. They will remain prohibited from leaving the country or changing address without court permission upon release, and must respond to all court summonses. The nine activists continue to face up to two years in prison and a fine of up to 4 million riel (about US$1,000) if convicted.