Municipal Court Sentences 13 Boeng Kak Protesters to Jail
The Phnom Penh Municipal Court yesterday charged and then immediately sentenced 13 women embroiled in a long-running land dispute with CPP Senator Lao Meng Khin’s private company to two-and-a-half years in jail. The women, which included Heng Mom and Tep Vanny, were among the leaders of the Boeng Kak community’s years-long dispute with Shukaku Inc., Mr. Meng Khin’s firm. Outside the courthouse, where dozens of people had gathered to support the women, authorities also apprehended two more women involved in the land dispute as well as activist monk Loun Sovath, who was filming a crowd of protesters in front of the courthouse. Police officers prevented journalists from entering the court, and court officials declined to comment after the sentence had been handed down. …
