The Cambodian government and law enforcement agencies continue to detain, arrest and imprison politicians, environmental defenders, land activists, trade unionists, journalists and social media users on unfounded charges that characterises their activism or speech 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)
60 prisoners of interest displayed
Phan Sarath, 49
Nation Power Party municipal deputy leader
Detained for 24 days
(since Jan. 28, 2025)
Hong An, 49
Candlelight party provincial deputy leader
Detained for 88 days
(since Nov. 25, 2024)
Mean Chanthon, 33
Political activist
Detained for 88 days
(since Nov. 25, 2024)
Pen Chan Sangkream, 52
CNRP district council candidate
Detained for 88 days
(since Nov. 25, 2024)
Soeun Kunthea, 36
Political activist
Detained for 88 days
(since Nov. 25, 2024)
Vorn Chanrachna, 24
Political activist
Detained for 88 days
(since Nov. 25, 2024)
Yin Chanthou, 47
Political activist
Detained for 88 days
(since Nov. 25, 2024)
Chin Bunnaroth, 49
National Power Party administration head
Detained for 172 days
(since Sep. 2, 2024)
Va Chumroeun, 42
Detained for 185 days
(since Aug. 20, 2024)
Hong Sopheak, 24
Detained for 187 days
(since Aug. 18, 2024)
Ream Sreypich Rothana, 24
Khmer Student Intelligent League Association vice-president
Detained for 187 days
(since Aug. 18, 2024)
Sal Phally, 32
Detained for 187 days
(since Aug. 18, 2024)
Name withheld (minor), 17
Student
Detained for 187 days
(since Aug. 18, 2024)
Thy Thorn, 24
Khmer Student Intelligent League Association vice-president
Detained for 187 days
(since Aug. 18, 2024)
Choy Dorn, 26
Detained for 188 days
(since Aug. 17, 2024)
Nhel Borey, 20
Student
Detained for 188 days
(since Aug. 17, 2024)
Seng Piseth, 18
Detained for 188 days
(since Aug. 17, 2024)
Vuth Piseth, 20
Student
Detained for 188 days
(since Aug. 17, 2024)
Seam Sophal, 55
Political activist
Detained for 189 days
(since Aug. 16, 2024)
Khem Voeun, 53
Khmer Will Party district council candidate
Detained for 198 days
(since Aug. 7, 2024)
Pov Lita, 25
Detained for 206 days
(since Jul. 30, 2024)
Chea Chantha, 41
IDEA local leader
Detained for 220 days
(since Jul. 16, 2024)
Long Kunthea, 26
Mother Nature environmental activist
Sentenced to
6 years in prison
Detained for 234 days
(since Jul. 2, 2024)
Ly Chandaravuth, 25
Mother Nature environmental activist
Sentenced to
6 years in prison
Detained for 234 days
(since Jul. 2, 2024)
Phuon Keoraksmey, 24
Mother Nature environmental activist
Sentenced to
6 years in prison
Detained for 234 days
(since Jul. 2, 2024)
Thun Ratha, 33
Mother Nature environmental activist
Sentenced to
6 years in prison
Detained for 234 days
(since Jul. 2, 2024)
Yim Leanghy, 35
Mother Nature environmental activist
Sentenced to
8 years in prison
Detained for 234 days
(since Jul. 2, 2024)
Sun Bunthon, 43
Khmer Will Party district council candidate
Sentenced to
18 months in prison
Detained for 257 days
(since Jun. 9, 2024)
Sun Chanthy, 44
Nation Power Party president
Sentenced to
2 years in prison
Detained for 288 days
(since May 9, 2024)
Morm Rithy, 42
Cambodian Tourism and Service Workers’ Federation President
Sentenced to
18 months in prison
Detained for 289 days
(since May 8, 2024)
Koet Saray, 31
Khmer Student Intelligent League Association president
Sentenced to
4 years in prison
Detained for 322 days
(since Apr. 5, 2024)
Phon Yuth, 37
Political activist
Sentenced to
18 months in prison
Detained for 339 days
(since Mar. 19, 2024)
Mer Seng Hor, 59
Nation Power Party provincial deputy leader
Sentenced to
2 years 6 months in prison
Detained for 343 days
(since Mar. 15, 2024)
Sar Sokha, 63
Candlelight district party leader
Sentenced to
18 months in prison
Detained for 384 days
(since Feb. 3, 2024)
Khem Chanvannak, 46
Candlelight party capital leader (acting)
Sentenced to
2 years 6 months in prison
Detained for 403 days
(since Jan. 15, 2024)
Ny Nak, 44
Social commentator
Sentenced to
2 years in prison
Detained for 413 days
(since Jan. 5, 2024)
Chao Veasna, 58
Candlelight district party leader
Sentenced to
3 years in prison
Detained for 579 days
(since Jul. 23, 2023)
Eng Sroy, 49
Candlelight provincial party leader
Sentenced to
3 years 6 months in prison
Detained for 585 days
(since Jul. 17, 2023)
Khoeun Virath, 33
Candlelight commune councillor
Sentenced to
2 years in prison
Detained for 700 days
(since Mar. 24, 2023)
Nou Sitheary, 63
Candlelight commune councillor
Sentenced to
2 years in prison
Detained for 700 days
(since Mar. 24, 2023)
Touch Theung, 76
Candlelight provincial party leader
Sentenced to
2 years in prison
Detained for 700 days
(since Mar. 24, 2023)
Kem Sokha, 70
Former Cambodia National Rescue Party president
Sentenced to
27 years in prison
Detained for 721 days
(since Mar. 3, 2023)
Thach Setha, 70
Candlelight vice-president
Sentenced to
3 years in prison
Detained for 767 days
(since Jan. 16, 2023)
Cheth Cheath, 34
Land Activist
Sentenced to
3 years in prison
Detained for 931 days
(since Aug. 5, 2022)
Seng Theary, 51
Political activist
Sentenced to
6 years in prison
Detained for 983 days
(since Jun. 14, 2022)
Voeung Samnang, 47
Political activist
Sentenced to
5 years in prison
Detained for 1201 days
(since Nov. 8, 2021)
Khan Bun Pheng, 62
Former CNRP commune chief
Sentenced to
5 years in prison
Detained for 1513 days
(since Dec. 31, 2020)
Thouk Theuy, 50
Former CNRP deputy district party leader
Sentenced to
5 years in prison
Detained for 1516 days
(since Dec. 28, 2020)
Heng Chan Sothy, 57
Former deputy CNRP district party leader
Sentenced to
6 years in prison
Detained for 1722 days
(since Jun. 5, 2020)
Kak Komphear, 54
Former CNRP capital councillor
Sentenced to
6 years in prison
Detained for 1727 days
(since May 31, 2020)
Ismael Pin Osman, 44
Former CNRP provincial party member
Sentenced to
15 years in prison
Detained for 2936 days
(since Feb. 7, 2017)
Phan Sarath, 49
Nation Power Party municipal deputy leader
Detained for 24 days, since January 28, 2025
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Hong An, 49
Candlelight party provincial deputy leader
Detained for 88 days, since November 25, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Mean Chanthon, 33
Political activist
Detained for 88 days, since November 25, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Pen Chan Sangkream, 52
CNRP district council candidate
Detained for 88 days, since November 25, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Soeun Kunthea, 36
Political activist
Detained for 88 days, since November 25, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Vorn Chanrachna, 24
Political activist
Detained for 88 days, since November 25, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Yin Chanthou, 47
Political activist
Detained for 88 days, since November 25, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Pang Bunson, 50
Candlelight commune councilor
Detained for 96 days, since November 17, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Hou Run Eng, 53
Detained for 166 days, since September 8, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Chin Bunnaroth, 49
National Power Party administration head
Detained for 172 days, since September 2, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Va Chumroeun, 42
Detained for 185 days, since August 20, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Hong Sopheak, 24
Detained for 187 days, since August 18, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Ream Sreypich Rothana, 24
Khmer Student Intelligent League Association vice-president
Detained for 187 days, since August 18, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Sal Phally, 32
Detained for 187 days, since August 18, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Name withheld (minor), 17
Student
Detained for 187 days, since August 18, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Thy Thorn, 24
Khmer Student Intelligent League Association vice-president
Detained for 187 days, since August 18, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Choy Dorn, 26
Detained for 188 days, since August 17, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Nhel Borey, 20
Student
Detained for 188 days, since August 17, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Seng Piseth, 18
Detained for 188 days, since August 17, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Vuth Piseth, 20
Student
Detained for 188 days, since August 17, 2024
Faces 5 - 10 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Seam Sophal, 55
Political activist
Detained for 189 days, since August 16, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Khem Voeun, 53
Khmer Will Party district council candidate
Detained for 198 days, since August 7, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Nhep Sarom, 52
Political activist
Detained for 198 days, since August 7, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
San Oeun, 70
Candlelight commune councilor
Detained for 198 days, since August 7, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Pov Lita, 25
Detained for 206 days, since July 30, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Thel Thilen, 34
Social media user
Detained for 212 days, since July 24, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Pheung Sophea, 34
Activist
Detained for 213 days, since July 23, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
San Sith, 38
Activist
Detained for 213 days, since July 23, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Srun Srorn, 46
Activist
Detained for 213 days, since July 23, 2024
Faces 6 months - 2 years imprisonment
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Chea Chantha, 41
IDEA local leader
Detained for 220 days, since July 16, 2024
Faces 6 months - 3 years imprisonment
Charge(s)
- Activities causing misapprehension with the discharge of public functions (Criminal Code Article 610)
- Fraud (Criminal Code Article 377, 378)
Long Kunthea, 26
Mother Nature environmental activist
Detained for 234 days, since July 2, 2024
Sentenced to 6 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Ly Chandaravuth, 25
Mother Nature environmental activist
Detained for 234 days, since July 2, 2024
Sentenced to 6 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Phuon Keoraksmey, 24
Mother Nature environmental activist
Detained for 234 days, since July 2, 2024
Sentenced to 6 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Thun Ratha, 33
Mother Nature environmental activist
Detained for 234 days, since July 2, 2024
Sentenced to 6 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Plotting (Criminal Code Article 453)
Yim Leanghy, 35
Mother Nature environmental activist
Detained for 234 days, since July 2, 2024
Sentenced to 8 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
Sun Bunthon, 43
Khmer Will Party district council candidate
Detained for 257 days, since June 9, 2024
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
Charge(s)
- Breach of trust (Criminal Code Article 391, 392)
Sun Chanthy, 44
Nation Power Party president
Detained for 288 days, since May 9, 2024
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Morm Rithy, 42
Cambodian Tourism and Service Workers’ Federation President
Detained for 289 days, since May 8, 2024
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Koet Saray, 31
Khmer Student Intelligent League Association president
Detained for 322 days, since April 5, 2024
Sentenced to 4 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Committing a misdemeanor after sentencing for a misdemeanor (Criminal Code Article 88)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Phon Yuth, 37
Political activist
Detained for 339 days, since March 19, 2024
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)
Mer Seng Hor, 59
Nation Power Party provincial deputy leader
Detained for 343 days, since March 15, 2024
Sentenced to 2 years 6 months in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)
- Insult (Criminal Code Article 502)
Sar Sokha, 63
Candlelight district party leader
Detained for 384 days, since February 3, 2024
Sentenced to 18 months in prison
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
Khem Chanvannak, 46
Candlelight party capital leader (acting)
Detained for 403 days, since January 15, 2024
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)
Ny Nak, 44
Social commentator
Detained for 413 days, since January 5, 2024
Sentenced to 2 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Committing a misdemeanor after sentencing for a misdemeanor (Criminal Code Article 88)
- Defamation (Criminal Code Article 305)
- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)
Kong Saron, 44
Detained for 454 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))
Chao Veasna, 58
Candlelight district party leader
Detained for 579 days, since July 23, 2023
Sentenced to 3 years in prison
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Incitement to discrimination (Criminal Code Article 496)
Eng Sroy, 49
Candlelight provincial party leader
Detained for 585 days, since July 17, 2023
Sentenced to 3 years 6 months in prison
Charge(s)
- Incitement to commit felony (Criminal Code Article 494, 495)
- Malicious denunciation (Criminal Code Article 311, 312)
Khoeun Virath, 33
Candlelight commune councillor
Detained for 700 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 700 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, 76
Candlelight provincial party leader
Detained for 700 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)
Kem Sokha, 70
Former Cambodia National Rescue Party president
Detained for 721 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 767 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
Cheth Cheath, 34
Land Activist
Detained for 931 days, since August 5, 2022
Sentenced to 3 years in prison
More information on this case here
Charge(s)
- Theft, aggravated circumstances (Criminal Code Article 353, 357)
Seng Theary, 51
Political activist
Detained for 983 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)
Voeung Samnang, 47
Political activist
Detained for 1201 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 1513 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 1516 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 1722 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 1727 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 2936 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)