More Protesters Flee Kampot Arrests

By Chun Sakada, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
30 May 2008

At least eight more residents of two villages in Kampot province have fled their homes, fearing arrest in a land dispute, rights officials and villagers said Friday.

The residents, of Banteay Meas district, fled as police were searching for protesters following a violent clash with authorities in April.

“We are very concerned over police arresting us without finding the wrong or right reason in the land dispute,” said a leader of the protesting villagers who asked not to be identified.

Twenty-eight people have fled their homes since the violence in April, the leader said, and some of them have gone as far as Battambang and Siem Reap provinces.

Ith Kong Chet, an investigator for the Cambodian Center for Human Rights, said the arrest was a threat to the security of people and a serious human rights abuse.

Police say they are not arresting protesters, per se, but those who damaged private property and injured people during April’s clashes.

Villagers Flee Following Arrests

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
23 May 2008

A handful of villagers of Kampot province’s Banteay Meas district have fled their homes following arrests Thursday of four people over a land dispute.

Two suspects have been released, but at least six villagers say they fear for their own safety and have left their homes following the arrests, for alleged destruction of property and assault.

The charges stem from a dispute with local company Khov Chily [KI-Media: Khao Chuly?], residents say.

“Many more residents might go into the jungle to hide themselves,” for further fear of arrest, said Preab Yim, a resident in the district.

Kampot court officials were not available for comment.

Kampot Police Arrest Three, Including Activist

By Chiep Mony, VOA Khmer
Phnom Penh
22 May 2008

Kampot authorities detained three residents and one political activist Thursday over a land dispute with a local company, officials said.

Human Rights Party activist Chuon Choch was arrested with Sam Henag, Eb Chhe and Bin Sopheap, following what police described as destruction of property and assault.

All four live in Banteay Meas district, where residents say they have had land taken by a local company.

A HRP official called the arrests an abuse of political rights, and one villager said the men were handcuffed and taken by police without any questions asked.

The rights group Licadho said Thursday that two men were released late Thursday.