"Environmental Journalist Uk Mao Released on Bail", 25 May 2025

Uk Mao, an Indigenous environmental journalist known for exposing illegal deforestation, was released on bail on May 25, with the exact reasons remaining unclear.

According to a post by the Cambodian Human Rights and Development Association (ADHOC), a release letter from Stung Treng Provincial Prison Department stated that Mao was granted bail on May 25, citing “his modifying during his time in prison”.

Sun Landy, coordinator for ADHOC in Stung Treng Province, explained that the court’s decision to release Mao on bail was not influenced by any changes in his behaviour during imprisonment.

“The letter states that ‘his modifying during his time in prison’ is not the reason he was released on bail,” he said…

Chhum Seanghak, spokesman for Stung Treng Provincial Court, confirmed … that Mao has been released on bail, although the exact reasons for his release remain unclear.

“I haven’t received any information yet,” he said, adding, “I only got preliminary information that he [Mao] has been released. Today is the weekend, so I didn’t get any details about the release either.”

… Mao, a member of an Indigenous community, frequently reports on illegal deforestation and environmental damage in protected areas of the northeastern province…

Regarding Mao’s arrest, many organisations, particularly those focused on human rights and the media, expressed concern and called for his release, describing the arrest as a serious threat to environmental defenders and journalists, while warning that it could harm Cambodia’s international reputation…