"Environmental activist lodges complaint over alleged beating, intimidation", 22 July 2020

An environmental activist in Ratanakkiri province filed a lawsuit … against six local officials and 10 villagers for allegedly committing acts of violence against him, intimidating him to withdraw a complaint and threatening his life.

The lawsuit has come after activist Chhorn Phalla, 41, was allegedly beaten at a public forum … in Lumphat district’s Seda commune where he raised the issue of local authorities colluding to clear and sell off community forest land in the area…

Phalla fled Samoutkroam village with his family last week due to persecution, but authorities have denied the allegations of intimidation and beatings.

Ratanakkiri Provincial Court deputy prosecutor and spokesman Ra Borandy confirmed … that the court had received Phalla’s complaint.

“They [court officials] have already received a complaint,” he said, before hanging up the phone.

… In the complaint, the activist accused them of intimidation, using intentional violence, and issuing death threats.

… He called on the court to conduct an investigation and take legal action against the authorities who he says attempted to intimidate him into withdrawing a complaint he had filed … alleging that some officials had intentionally ignored illegal land clearing by villagers…

Sam Titseyha, Phalla’s defense lawyer, said he hoped the court would thoroughly investigate the case.

“We have enough pieces of evidence and witnesses to verify the incident of violence against Chhorn Phalla which was committed by a group of people,” he said.

Soeng Senkaruna, a senior investigator for rights group Adhoc, called on the court to conduct their investigation with independence and transparency to provide justice for the victim…