Media Groups Call for Editor’s Release

By Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
27 August 2009

Seven media organizations have sent a letter to King Norodom Sihamoni asking him to intervene in the prison sentence of an opposition newspaper editor.

Hang Chakra was jailed in June following the publication of a series of articles alleging corruption under the powerful Council Minister Sok An.

The letter asks that the king help intervene through his role as a member of the Supreme Council of Magistracy in interpreting legal matters at the Phnom Penh Municipal Court.

Pa Nguon Tieng, director of the Cambodian Center for Independent Media, said there had been irregularities in Hang Chakra’s June hearings. After the first hearing, after the defense had asked for more time to collect evidence, the court held a second hearing, sentencing Hang Chakra in absentia, he said.

And Sok Sovann, president of Khmer Journalists for Democracy, said the court should have used the media law passed by the National Assembly in 1995.

Chhoung Chou Ngy, lawyer for Hang Chakra, said he will wait for a response to the request before deciding on whether to appeal the 12-month sentence.

As a journalist, Hang Chakra did not commit any mistake

Wednesday, August 27, 2009
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Socheata

Pa Nguon Tieng, the director of the Cambodian Center for Independent Publication and president of the Voice of Democracy radio, signed a joint letter with 7 other journalist organizations and institutions that was sent to the king regarding Hang Chakra’s case. Pa Nguon Tieng indicated that, according to the information law, Hang Chakra did not commit any mistake as a journalist. As for the jailing of Hang Chakra, it is illegal, the journalist organizations indicated. Pa Nguon Tieng who was also jailed for accusing the government in 2005, indicated that the Phnom Penh municipal court decision to arrest Hang Chakra and send him to jail could be based on a number of irregularities, such as the closed door hearing of the case, and the immediate order issued to arrest Hang Chakra was the court decision not to respond to the delay request made by Hang Chakra’s lawyer.