Nhem Nhuen, also known as Snguon Nhuen, gave a speech about his community's land dispute with KDC International at Freedom Park in Phnom Penh on 10 September 2014.

The Supreme Court this morning upheld the convictions of Lor Peang land community members Sngoun Nheun, Reach Seyma and Phol Sorn for “obstruction of a public official with aggravating circumstances” and “intentionally causing damage” under Articles 504 and 411 of the Criminal Code.

Nheun, Seyma, and Sorn - who has since passed away - were convicted by the Kampong Chhnang Provincial Court in 2021, eight years after the alleged crimes occurred during protest by community members against KDC International, a company involved in a longstanding land dispute with the villagers.

The 2013 protest was part of a nearly two-decade land conflict, during which a temporary security guard hut was destroyed. The defendants were sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison, fully suspended, and ordered to pay 2.8 million riel (approximately US$700) in compensation. That decision was upheld by the Phnom Penh Appeal Court in February 2024 and upheld again today by the Supreme Court.

KDC International was owned by Chea Kheng, the wife of then-Minister of Mines and Energy Suy Sem, and claimed ownership of 512 hectares of land in Kampong Tralach district’s Ta Ches commune. Several dozen families, including those from the Lor Peang Community, are still embroiled in a land dispute with KDC, which they allege took around 100 hectares of their land in 2002. Since then, multiple community members have faced criminal charges related to the dispute.