"Spanish nature activist court hearing begins", 31 July 2019

The Koh Kong provincial court … heard the case of Spanish environmental activist Alejandro “Alex” Gonzalez-Davidson, who is accused of being an accomplice in “threatening to cause destruction, defacement or damage” and inciting others to do the same.

Gonzalez-Davidson’s defence lawyer, Sam Chamroeun, said the court heard the case in the absence of his client and the verdict was due to be delivered on August 22.

Provincial court spokesman Un Sovantheany confirmed that the outspoken activist’s case was being heard, saying: “The court is hearing the case according to legal procedures.”…

The case involved alleged repeated obstruction of sand-dredging activities in Koh Kong province.

Gonzalez-Davidson is the co-founder of NGO Mother Nature Cambodia and his case is linked to an event … when three environmental activists from the NGO – San Mala, Sim Samnang and Try Sovikea – boarded sand dredging vessels operated by a company called Direct Access…

Gonzalez-Davidson told … that the charges brought against him were illegitimate and were not in accordance with legal procedures.

“How can I be an accomplice when there was no crime?...

He said he attempted to return to Cambodia from Spain to attend the hearing … but his visa application was rejected.