Land activists continue petitioning

Wednesday, 12 September 2012 
Free of the police resistance that thwarted their march the previous day, about 65 Borei Keila and Boeung Kak community supporters marched to the Ministry of Justice yesterday in another effort to have land dispute activists Tim Sakmony and Yorm Bopha freed from pre-trial detention at Prey Sar prison.

“We need justice,” the residents chanted as tourists at the nearby Royal Palace looked on. Bopha was arrested last week and charged with intentional violence.

Motodop group Cambodia for Confederation Development Association members have said the 29-year-old was involved in beating two motodops at Boeung Kak lake.

Borei Keila evictee Sakmony, 65, was arrested separately and charged with making a false declaration.

Leading the calls for the pair’s release yesterday was Lus Lihour, Bopha’s eight-year-old son.

“Please release my mother. It is unjust,” he said, clutching a krama that featured a picture of his mother and the slogan “give justice”.

Representatives were allowed to submit petitions to the ministry, which Sam Prachea Maneth, head of cabinet at the Ministry of Justice, said would be sent to the minister.

“The ministry has no influence over the court’s decision at all . . . however, it will take this case into account,” he said.