Boeung Kak Activist Detained After August Demonstration

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvXvN_xd7vI

Yorm Bopha is accused of involvement in a violent demonstration over housing rights at the contentious development site.

04 September 2012

Heng Reaksmey, VOA Khmer

Tep Vanny, a representative of Boeung Kak residents insisting on better resettlement options, said the arrest was a “cowardly act” by the court authorities, who have ordered similar detentions in the past.

PHNOM PENH - Phnom Penh Municipal Court on Tuesday detained an activist of the Boeung Kak neighborhood for intentional violence, rights advocates said.

Yorm Bopha, 31, and her husband, Lours Sarkorn, 56, were arrested after they appeared at their local commune office to inspect a voter registration list for the 2013 elections. Lours Sarkorn was released later.

Yorm Bopha is accused of involvement in a violent demonstration over housing rights at the contentious development site.

She has been involved in numerous demonstrations since the Shikaku, Inc., company began developing there, pushing thousands of families from their homes to make way for a commercial and residential complex.

Tep Vanny, a representative of Boeung Kak residents insisting on better resettlement options, said the arrest was a “cowardly act” by the court authorities, who have ordered similar detentions in the past.

Am Sam Ath, an investigator for the rights group Licadho, said he believed the arrest was aimed at stopping ongoing protests over the development.