Ratanakiri Provincial Court has sentenced Theng Savoeun, president of the Coalition of Cambodian Farmer Community (CCFC), and two associates, Nhel Pheap and Thann Hach, to five years jail for “plotting and incitement”. However, the sentences have been suspended, according to court spokesperson Keo Pheakdey.

Pheakdey, also a deputy prosecutor at the court, said apart from the suspension of the sentence, there was no imposition of fines, adding that the court would give detailed verdicts for each individual later.

“I can tell you that they [Theng Savoeun and his colleagues] were sentenced by the court to five years jail, but their sentences were suspended with no fine for the crime,” he said.

In a quick response, Savoeun said the judgment was “unfair to him”, stating that he would file an appeal against the decision.

“As one of the victims, I will file an appeal with the Tbong Khmum Appeal Court against the verdict of the Ratanakiri Provincial Court,” he said. “The sentence is unfair to all of us because we have no purpose or intention to plot and incite, or cause serious social chaos. We work professionally and abide by the laws of the country.”

On May 18, 2023, Savoeun and 16 other CCFC members were arrested by Kratie provincial police at the behest of the Ratanakiri provincial police.

Nhem Sam Oeun, Ratanakiri governor, previously said Savoeun and his group were arrested for carrying out “suspicious” work in the province. Fourteen individuals were released, but three – Savoeun, Pheap, and Hach – were taken to the Ratanakiri Provincial Court.

Am Sam Ath, LICADHO operations director, who provided lawyers for the defendants, described the decision as a pressure on civil society organizations, adding that while the jail term has been suspended, Savoeun still remained under the court’s pressure.

Expressing frustration over the decision, Sam Ath felt that the government “should stop using the judiciary to place pressure on civil societies, which undermined their right to freedom of expression”.

“This is a pressure on civil society leaders, especially Savoeun, Pheap and Hach,” he remarked. If one were to look at them, one would see that they are working for the people, for the benefit of farmers. Therefore, there is no crime, and there should be no accusations against them, he said. “It’s [the verdict] a bad message for civil society. Even though the sentence was suspended, he [Savoeun] has still been convicted.”

He said the “pressure from the judiciary” also affects the activities of other civil society organizations. The government should drop any charges against civil societies “in whatever form” so that they can do their job transparently and independently.

On May 22, the Ratanakiri Provincial Court placed Savoeun, Pheap and Hach under pre-trial detention on two charges.

The arrests were made after a CCFC training session, attended by 39 staff members, from May 14 to 17 in Ratanakiri. Following the program on May 17, the participants who were heading back to Phnom Penh had their bus stopped by Kratie provincial authorities, allegedly upon the request of the Ratanakiri provincial authorities.

However, the Ratanakiri court released Savoeun, Pheap and Hach on bail. Later, Savoeun posted a message on his Facebook page which read, “Returning with both responsibility and additional obligations.”

The release by the court occurred after Savoeun issued a letter and video “acknowledging his guilt” on the alleged charge of conducting a “peasant revolution.”