Mam Sonando Charged, Jailed Ahead of Trial

After two hours of questioning, the Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday sent independent radio station owner Mam Sonando to Prey Sar prison for pretrial detention, where he will await a hearing on allegations that he tried to foment a secessionist movement in Kratie province. As Mr. Sonando was being questioned, dozens of his supporters protested outside, waving posters calling for his release and chanting about injustice. Speaking briefly with reporters after leaving the investigating judge’s office, Mr. Sonando, who owns the Beehive Radio station, reiterated his innocence. “I didn’t do anything, they just charged me [without reason]…. I’m not involved with anything,” he said, before being hustled away by police. The Kratie Provincial Court charged Mr. Sonando in early July while he was in the U.S. and issued a warrant for his arrest. The court case was then transferred to Phnom Penh yesterday. Sem Sakola, the questioning judge, could not be reached for comment, while his clerk, Sorn Kimsan, declined to comment. “I don’t dare talk about this case because I’m afraid I might get something wrong,” Mr. Kimsan said. …