Reporters Without Borders and the Cambodian Center for Independent Media demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mam Sonando, owner of Beehive radio, whose brief trial growing out of charges of fomenting insurrection ended on 6 March.
The verdict in the case, an appeal of a lower court conviction, will be announced on 14 March.
“The principal accusers did not appear at the trial,” Reporters Without Borders said. “No new evidence was presented. The continued detention of Mam Sonando is completely unjustified.”
Sonando reiterated his innocence to the appeals court on 5 March. “I am a scapegoat,” he said. “These charges are unjust, and I do not accept the lower court verdict.”
On 1 October, 2012, Sonando was sentenced to 20 years in prison on conviction of criminal charges of inciting armed insurrection in Kratie province and usurping official functions.
In an exclusive interview with RWB, Sonando said: “Journalism does not exist in Cambodia. Journalists do not play their part honestly, because they are afraid, and bow their heads before the slightest threat. I have tried to do my work honestly, which is why I please no one…I didn’t come into this world in order to please a prime minister. I do what I have the right to do under the constitution. If your rights exist and you do not exercise them, then they are useless.”
During the day-and-a-half trial, the judges re-examined the veracity of the criminal charges, with the prosecutor requesting that these be dropped.
Yet the journalist still faces civil charges of fomenting opposition to government officials and opposition to legal authority. In addition, he is accused of inciting illegal de-forestation, which carries a prison sentence of 5 to 10 years. It is not clear if that sentence would be added to the term to which Sonando has already been sentenced.
The appeals trial was marked by the court’s reading of an Amicus brief on Sonando’s behalf by local and international press freedom organizations. The brief argued for Sonando’s exoneration and release on the basis of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which guarantees freedom of opinion and expression. “It is the first time a Cambodian Court takes an independent analysis into account during a trial,” said Pa Ngoun Teang, director of the Cambodia Center for Independent Media. “While it can be a good sign for the case, there are still charges against Mam Sonando but no proof of them. The Court should exonerate him and release him.”
Sa Sovan, one of Sonando’s lawyers, told RWB: “The lower court verdict cannot be sustained. My client is not guilty of incitation. After the appeals trial, he must be acquitted and released. Any other result would be an injustice.”
Dinn Phanara, Sonando’s wife, told RWB that she remains hopeful, because the appeals judges appeared to take defence arguments seriously.
However, Ou Virak, director of the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, expressed concern that the court could decide to make an example of Sonando for all defenders of property rights in Cambodia. “The authorities are trying to rule by fear,” he said. “This is the policy of the prime minister, in response to the approaching legislative elections of July 2013, as well as international pressure.”
Click HERE to view the interview1 in English.
Click HERE to view the interview1 in Khmer.
Click HERE to view the interview2 in English.
Click HERE to view the interview2 in Khmer.
